Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has set a target of achieving at least an 80 per cent reduction in dengue cases within the next three months, calling on citizens across the country, particularly the youth, to actively participate in widespread cleanliness drives.
“If we dedicate at least one hour every week to cleaning our homes, educational institutions, or workplaces, we can bring about a rapid transformation in our environment,” the prime minister said.
He made the remarks on Saturday morning whilst inaugurating the nationwide “Dengue Prevention and Cleanliness Campaign 2026” at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
Addressing the youth, he urged, “Come, let us rebuild the nation and reconstruct the country. Let us work to resolve the dengue crisis over the next three months. We may not achieve 100 per cent success, but we can certainly attain at least 80 per cent.”
Seeking public cooperation for national development and governance reforms, the prime minister added, “If young people commit to bringing about change, it is achievable. On 5 August 2024, the youth of Bangladesh demonstrated their power to transform the nation to the entire world.”
Highlighting the critical role of sanitation in vector control, Tarique explained, “Scrapped materials, discarded paper, plastics, and various stagnant water containers serve as prime breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes. Eliminating these hazards will play a decisive role in curbing the spread of the virus.”
The prime minister also urged citizens to cultivate civic responsibility and refrain from littering on public roads and thoroughfares, advocating for community discouragement of public dumping.
“Maintaining cleanliness is not the sole responsibility of the government. Everyone must step forward to safeguard the health of their families, communities, and the state,” he declared. “Our mandate is simple: work, work, and more work. Cleanliness must remain our primary objective in the days ahead.”
The inauguration was attended online by administrators from districts and upazilas nationwide, alongside government officials, private-sector employees, municipal sanitation workers, students, and voluntary organisations.
The three-month campaign will run from 12 September to 12 December 2026. Beyond activities in the capital, public awareness and sanitation programmes will be launched simultaneously across all district and upazila levels. The initiative aims to enhance public vigilance, destroy Aedes mosquito breeding habitats, reinforce civic sanitation routines, and coordinate state and civic responses.
Abdus Salam, convener of the campaign’s implementation committee and administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation, delivered the welcome address.
Local Government Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, Information Minister Andaleeve Rahman, State Minister for Health MA Muhith, and State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam also addressed the gathering.
Mounting casualties highlight crisis
The launch of the cleanliness drive coincided with grim new data from the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), underscoring the severity of the outbreak.
According to a DGHS bulletin released on Saturday, two more deaths were reported in the preceding 24 hours, alongside 1,056 new hospital admissions nationwide. Both fatalities occurred within the Dhaka South City Corporation area.
The total official dengue death toll for the year has now reached 143, while total nationwide hospitalisations have climbed to 50,276.
