Nationwide dengue drive intensified ahead of monsoon

Monsoon season approaching, the government has launched an extensive nationwide preparedness programme aimed at preventing the spread of dengue and chikungunya through strengthened healthcare readiness, public awareness initiatives and mosquito-control measures.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Local Government Division, city corporations and local administrations are jointly implementing a range of preventive activities across the country to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases.

Awareness rallies, Baul song-based promotional campaigns, weekly cleanliness drives, community meetings, courtyard gatherings and other public engagement programmes have already been rolled out nationwide to encourage citizen participation in dengue prevention.

Health facilities have also stepped up preparations. ‘Dengue Corners’ have been established at Upazila Health Complexes, while doctors and nurses are receiving specialised training.

Authorities have also ensured the preparation of field hospitals, procurement of reagents and testing kits, and adequate stocks of essential medicines and oral saline.

The country’s seven city corporations have introduced area-specific preparedness programmes.

In a first, the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) conducted a pre-monsoon Aedes mosquito larva survey, while the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) launched a music-based awareness campaign to promote dengue prevention.

Speaking to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said the government has undertaken comprehensive measures to tackle dengue.

“Dengue Corners are being established at Upazila Health Complexes and special training is being provided to doctors and nurses,” he said.

The minister said a field hospital has been kept ready on the Dhaka Medical College Hospital campus as part of the preparedness efforts, adding that additional field hospitals would be established if necessary.

He said private hospitals have been instructed to keep at least 10 percent of their beds reserved for dengue patients.

According to the minister, physicians have also been requested not to charge consultation fees from dengue patients, while diagnostic testing costs have been requested to be reduced by up to 80 percent.

He further said the government currently has a reserve of nearly 200,000 bags of oral saline and initiatives are underway to increase the stock further.

As part of the awareness campaign, a nationwide rally was held on Saturday, while the health minister formally inaugurated a three-month special cleanliness and public awareness campaign under the ministry’s initiative.

The minister said mobile courts would regularly conduct drives against negligence in dengue prevention.

Legal action will be taken if Aedes mosquito larvae are found in any house, institution or establishment, while mobile court operations are expected every two to three days.

“Dengue prevention is not the responsibility of the government alone but it is a collective responsibility of all. Just as everyone worked together during the COVID-19 pandemic, collective effort is needed to prevent dengue as well,” he added.

State Minister for Health Dr M A Muhit said the dengue situation could be brought largely under control if citizens treat prevention as a personal responsibility.

He said a special three-month programme has been launched to raise awareness, strengthen cleanliness efforts, eliminate mosquito breeding sites and turn dengue prevention into a social movement through public participation.

Highlighting the involvement of religious leaders, Dr Muhit said imams would deliver messages on cleanliness and dengue prevention during Friday Jumma prayers.

DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam told BSS that dengue control requires joint efforts from both citizens and local authorities.

“Dengue can be controlled through the combined efforts of both,” he said.
He added that a five-day special crash programme has already begun in high-risk wards, with the health and waste management departments jointly carrying out the operations.

Officials expressed optimism that dengue infections could be significantly reduced if the planned measures are implemented effectively with active participation from both the government and the public.