PM urges people-led drive to curb dengue

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed authorities to intensify nationwide cleanliness and public awareness campaigns against dengue, stressing that preventing the disease requires active participation from communities rather than reliance solely on government agencies.

The Prime Minister issued the directives at a meeting on the country’s dengue situation and measures to combat the disease at the Bangladesh Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said.

Tarique Rahman called for greater awareness among people about keeping homes and their surroundings clean, removing stagnant water and waste, and eliminating mosquito breeding grounds.
He also directed the authorities to involve disaster management volunteers, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), Rover Scouts and Red Crescent volunteers in cleanliness and awareness campaigns.

The Prime Minister stressed that these volunteers should engage local communities in cleanliness drives and awareness activities at the grassroots level.

The meeting also discussed measures to strengthen dengue treatment facilities and patient-management capacity at upazila-level hospitals.

The supply of mosquito nets for dengue patients admitted to hospitals was also discussed to reduce the risk of transmission through mosquitoes biting infected patients and subsequently spreading the virus.

Emphasising prevention as the most effective way to combat dengue, Tarique Rahman called for coordinated action by the relevant authorities and extensive awareness campaigns to encourage people to participate in cleanliness activities.

He stressed the need to ensure that decisions taken at the meeting are implemented on the ground.