Let the decision to form a task force to combat dengue demonstrate positive steps

Dengue is no longer merely a seasonal health issue for the country; it assumes epidemic proportions every year. The prevalence of dengue rises particularly during the monsoon season, claiming many lives. Last year, the dengue outbreak reached alarming proportions, with the death toll hitting a worrying level.

Relevant authorities, including the city corporations, had devised various plans to eradicate mosquitoes and destroy their breeding grounds, but these efforts consistently failed.

Against this backdrop, a special task force has been formed to implement coordinated and effective measures to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Over the past decade and a half, the Dhaka North and South City Corporations have repeatedly conducted special drives, mosquito eradication programmes, and awareness campaigns to control dengue. However, the results have been disappointing.

The primary reason for this was the fragmented nature of these initiatives; mosquito eradication efforts remained confined to City Corporation-led activities. Such measures failed to address Aedes mosquito breeding grounds in the suburbs, municipal areas, and wetlands along the city’s periphery.

At the same time, a lack of coordination among various ministries and agencies, coupled with a lack of accountability, has effectively reduced these initiatives to mere paper exercises.

Also, there are allegations of irregularities and corruption in the execution of mosquito eradication activities; such issues have arisen due to the procurement of substandard insecticides and the failure to conduct eradication operations consistently.

The structure of this new task force reportedly differs somewhat from previous initiatives. It encompasses not only city corporations but also municipalities, district councils, and other relevant public and private institutions under the Ministry of Local Government.

Experts say, the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes are not yet systematically mapped. Information regarding which areas are at highest risk of dengue and when breeding rates begin to rise can be gathered using GIS technology.

However, government initiatives alone are insufficient to combat dengue. Open rooftops of buildings under construction, stagnant water, and discarded containers in major cities-including Dhaka-serve as primary breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.

Eradicating these breeding sites is impossible without focusing real estate companies, construction contractors, and large industrial establishments to regular inspections and fines.

Allegations of irregularities regarding the procurement and distribution of insecticides have surfaced repeatedly.

Unless transparency is ensured in this regard, increasing allocations will yield no impact. The initiative to form a task force to combat dengue this time is a positive step. Let the task force demonstrate an effective framework in the fight against dengue.