If not now, then when? This is precisely the question we need to address now as infections and deaths relating to dengue have reached an alarming state.
Conversations with doctors reveal that the mutated strain of dengue is attacking vital organs such as the liver, lungs and kidney, without usual warning signs like fever, body ache, and bleeding from the gums, among others.
The doctors also told me that, with this new dengue strain, their ability to save patients have decreased.
This is frightening.
The government says the number of hot spots have reduced by 77 percent, from 256 locations to 58 from the beginning of March this year to the start of May, with the use of the Outdoor Residual Spray.
However this is not reflected in the number of infections or deaths.
According to statistics, 144 have died nationwide from January to June, this year. In comparison, 72 people died in the same period last year.
This is a hundred percent increase and in 2013, there were 38 deaths in the given time frame.
In January to June 2014, a total of 36,825 persons were infected. For the same period this year, we see this number increase to 49,313.
This is a 74.7 percent hike.
The health ministry has acknowledged that organ failure and shocks to the nervous system are happening very frequently now.
As such the government must declare a state of emergency for dengue and pool together resources and expertise, both local and international, to deal with this alarming situation.
Some of the immediate action plan could include upping the compound fines from 500 ringgit to a higher deterrent amount.
Even extensive fogging is not working. Therefore, local councils must increase spot checks and surveillance.
The health ministry has to engage with the World Health Organisation to develop a crisis management system to deal with this nationwide epidemic.
Hospitals need an injection of funds to set-up a dedicated team of doctors and nurses, logistics, dengue kits and come up with a comprehensive nationwide dengue awareness program.
Despite the urgency and increasing number of deaths, people are nonchalant.
As such the government must reach out in an effective manner, such as disseminating information through prime air time on radio, television and the use of other social media.
These action plans must be implemented right away to prevent a further increase in infections or deaths dengue emergency now.