50pc of dengue prevention responsibility lies with citizens: DSCC
Nearly half of the Aedes mosquito larvae found during inspections in Dhaka South were detected around residential areas, highlighting the need for greater public participation in dengue prevention, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md Abdus Salam has said.
He made the remarks at a scientific seminar on dengue trends, prevention and innovative mosquito-control strategies at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium on Thursday.
The seminar was jointly organised by the DSCC and the Zoological Society of Bangladesh to discuss the latest dengue situation, effective prevention measures and science-based approaches to controlling mosquito breeding.
Abdus Salam said the comparative findings of surveys conducted in March and October showed improvements in several previously high-risk wards following special mosquito-control operations.
However, he expressed concern that nearly 50 per cent of the Aedes larvae found during the inspections were detected in different places around residential properties.
“Dengue prevention is a responsibility shared equally by the city corporation and citizens. The city corporation has 50 per cent of the responsibility, and citizens have the remaining 50 per cent. Dengue can be controlled if everyone fulfils their respective responsibilities,” he said.
The administrator said the DSCC had been conducting regular mosquito-control activities alongside special crash programmes since he took office. The corporation has also undertaken awareness campaigns through public announcements, leaflet distribution and mosque-based publicity, he said.
However, he stressed that awareness campaigns alone would not be enough. Residents must ensure that water does not accumulate on rooftops, in courtyards, at construction sites or around air-conditioning units.
He also called for coordinated efforts by the government, city corporation, social organisations and residents to make Dhaka a clean, green and liveable city. Urging professional and social organisations, including the Zoological Society of Bangladesh, to take a more active role in public awareness campaigns, he assured them of the DSCC’s support.
Other speakers at the seminar also emphasised individual responsibility and urged residents to clean their homes, courtyards and surrounding areas every Saturday to prevent mosquito breeding.
The seminar, themed “Current Trends of Dengue in Bangladesh: Prevention and Innovative Vector Control for Public Health Challenges”, was attended by DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Khaybar Rahman as a special guest and presided over by Zoological Society of Bangladesh President Prof Dr Hamida Khanam.
Scientific presentations on the mosquito life cycle and control measures were delivered by Prof Dr Kabirul Bashar of the Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University; Dr Shafiul Alam, Senior Scientific Officer at icddr,b; and Md Rezaul Karim Khan, Senior Entomologist (PRL) at the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) unit of the Directorate General of Health Services.
DSCC Secretary Md Mashiur Rahman Khan, Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Mahbubur Rahman Talukdar, Chief Health Officer Dr Jahane Ferdous Binte Rahman and other representatives also attended.