PM calls for coordinated effort, public awareness to combat dengue

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed authorities to strengthen cleanliness and public awareness campaigns across the country by involving the public to prevent the spread of dengue. He gave the directive at a meeting on the dengue situation and measures to tackle it at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Sunday, September 6.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need to increase public participation in dengue prevention rather than relying solely on government agencies. He stressed the importance of raising awareness about keeping homes and surroundings clean, removing stagnant water, clearing garbage and preventing mosquito breeding sites.

He also directed the involvement of disaster management volunteers, along with BNCC, Rover Scout and Red Crescent members, in cleanliness and awareness campaigns. Through them, he said, cleanliness drives should be conducted by involving local people.

The meeting also focused on strengthening treatment facilities and patient management capacity for dengue patients at upazila-level hospitals. The supply of mosquito nets for hospitalised dengue patients was also discussed to reduce the risk of mosquitoes spreading the disease after biting infected patients.

Emphasising the implementation of the decisions taken at the meeting, the Prime Minister said their impact must be visible on the ground. Stressing prevention as the most important aspect in tackling dengue, he directed relevant authorities to work in a coordinated manner. He also emphasised the need for extensive awareness initiatives to ensure public participation in cleanliness drives.

The meeting was attended by Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam, and Health and Family Welfare State Minister MA Muhit. Senior officials, including the Prime Minister's Special Assistant for Health Dr SM Ziauddin Haidar, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, and the Prime Minister's Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan, were also present.