Bronze Health Lion awarded in France to Maynilad project

Aedes aegypti biting human. (Wikipedia photo)

MANILA — Maynilad Water Services, Inc., West Zone concessionaire, took home the Bronze Health Lion for its anti-dengue mosquito trap invention; a DIY project aimed at controlling dengue in impoverished communities. The company was the only Philippine establishment to make it on the roster of winners at the first Lions Health Awards held in Cannes, France, at the world-renowned Palais des Festivals.

Lions Health, the world’s largest healthcare communications awards, received over 1,400 entries in its debut year. Sixty six Lions were awarded across Pharma and Health and Wellness categories.

For their submission, Maynilad worked in tandem with the Department of Health and Y&R Philippines to make a prototype for the do-it-yourself mosquito trap. The device – made easy to acquire items – utilizes a recycled plastic bottle with a combination of clean water, brown sugar and yeast. The mixture emits carbon dioxide that attracts mosquitoes, lures them into the bottle, and traps them in the solution. Each device has a two-week efficacy, during which it is capable of killing hundreds of the disease-carrying pests.

In a statement made regarding the invention, Maynilad president and CEO Ricky P. Vargas said : “Dengue is among the common diseases during the rainy season. With this project, we want to empower people in the fight against this disease through a simple, low-cost solution. We are honored that our efforts have been recognized by the international healthcare communications community,”