The government will form a special task force to tackle the dengue situation and strengthen preventive measures across the country.
The decision was taken during the first meeting of the reconstituted National Committee on Prevention of Dengue and Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases held at Secretariat on Tuesday.
Chaired by Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the meeting took place in the conference room of Local Government Division, with State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, also in attendance.
The special task force, which will operate under the supervision of state minister, has been tasked with monitoring field-level activities, providing necessary directives, enhancing co-ordination between various agencies, and implementing emergency measures.
In his presiding remarks, Minister Fakhrul emphasised that all relevant institutions must work in a co-ordinated manner to prevent dengue. He stressed that beyond government initiatives, public awareness and active participation are vital to the effort.
The minister directed city corporations, municipalities, district councils, and other relevant government and private organisations under the ministry to perform their duties more effectively.
The committee adopted several key decisions to combat the spread of the disease, including the large-scale distribution of leaflets and awareness materials through various offices and agencies.
Special awareness programmes will be conducted in schools, colleges, and madrasas involving teachers, students, and parents to educate them on prevention.
Cleanliness drives will be strengthened through the co-ordination of local administrations, public representatives, and civil society. The quality of fogging machines and mosquito-killing activities will be regularly tested and supervised to ensure efficiency.
Special drives will be conducted to identify and destroy Aedes mosquito breeding sites across the country. There will be increased inspections of construction sites, rooftop gardens, tyre shops, garages, and waterlogged areas where mosquitoes are likely to breed. Awareness campaigns through mass media and social media will be intensified to reach a broader audience.
Additionally, locations where larvae are discovered will be specifically identified to implement necessary preventive steps, and monitoring of all dengue prevention activities will be strengthened. The government also plans to improve the rapid collection and analysis of data on dengue patients to identify high-risk areas for immediate action.
During the meeting, speakers warned of a potential spike in dengue cases during the monsoon season, underscoring the need for immediate and co-ordinated preparations. They called for the swift implementation of the national committee’s decisions, the acceleration of field-level activities, and the ensuring of necessary manpower.
The meeting was attended by representatives from various ministries, agencies, and city corporations, alongside senior officials from Dhaka University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, WASA, LGED, DPHE, RAJUK, and the Local Government Division.
The National Committee was recently reconstituted to make the government’s efforts against mosquito-borne diseases more effective and co-ordinated.
Led by Minister Fakhrul, the committee includes representatives from various ministries, divisions, and organisations, all aiming for effective progress in controlling dengue through these newly adopted measures.
