State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development (LGRD) and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam on Tuesday said the sincerity and coordinated initiatives of administrators have provided new momentum to dengue prevention activities.
Addressing a meeting of the Task Force Committee formed to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, the state minister urged city corporation cleaners to play a more responsible and active role in urban sanitation.
He also called upon citizens to be conscious of maintaining cleanliness in their respective homes, educational institutions, construction sites, and surrounding environments.
The meeting was held on an online platform at the conference room of the Local Government Division at Secretariat, with the state minister presiding.
Highlighting that prevention is more effective than cure, Alam emphasised that maximum priority must be given to destroying the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquito larvae.
He specifically stressed the importance of conducting regular drives at construction sites and strengthening awareness programmes in educational institutions.
The state minister noted that the appointment of administrators to city corporations, under the visionary leadership of the prime minister, has created a new dynamism in field-level activities.
While praising the sincerity, dedication, and hard work of the administrators, he urged them to involve voluntary organisations, educational institutions, and residents in awareness campaigns alongside their official duties.
The Local Government Division recently formed the task force to implement the decisions of National Committee at the field level, ensure effective coordination between various agencies, and monitor overall activities.
In accordance with the committee’s decisions, countrywide cleanliness drives, public awareness campaigns, and special programmes to destroy mosquito breeding sites are being implemented.
Regular drives are being conducted in various areas of the capital, and legal action is being taken through mobile courts if Aedes larvae are discovered in potential breeding spots, including construction sites.
The meeting was attended in person by Mymensingh City Corporation Administrator Rukunuzzaman Rokon, Rangpur City Corporation Administrator Mahfuz-Un-Nabi Chowdhury, and Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Md Mahfuzur Rahman Riton.
Administrators, chief executive officers, chief health officers, and relevant officials from the city corporations of Chattogram, Khulna, Barishal, Sylhet, Cumilla, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Bogura participated virtually.
Also present were Md Robiul Islam, joint secretary of Urban Development Division of Local Government Division, and Abul Khair Mohammad Hafizullah Khan, project director of “Improvement of Urban Public Health Preventive Services” project.
