90 die from Dengue this year: State Minister for Local Government
Collected Photo
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam has said that some 90 people have died while undergoing treatment for dengue from January up to Saturday, this year.
According to his statement, roughly 2,200 to 2,500 patients have recovered and returned home after receiving treatment during this period.
The State Minister made these remarks while presiding over an emergency meeting of the National Task Force Committee formed to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, held at the conference room of the Local Government Division at the Secretariat on Sunday.
Mir Shahe Alam said that the number of dengue patients has dropped by nearly half compared to last year. Cleanliness drives, spraying, and awareness campaigns are underway across various city corporations to control mosquitoes.
Speaking as the chief guest, Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan stated that the government is prioritizing efforts to curb the spread of dengue and other vector-borne diseases. He emphasized that alongside destroying mosquito breeding grounds, research and technical capacity are being enhanced to increase the effectiveness of mosquito control insecticides.
The Local Government Minister further mentioned that densely populated major areas like the Dhaka North, Dhaka South, and Gazipur City Corporations face numerous challenges in mosquito control. Despite limited resources, the city corporations are working wholeheartedly. Places where mosquito larvae breed must be identified, and steps taken to prevent water accumulation.
"With the cooperation of developed countries like Japan, the efficacy of mosquito control medicines is being researched and reviewed. Relevant university experts have also been involved in this work. Alongside public awareness, increasing technical capability is being emphasized to prevent the spread of dengue," he added.
Appealing to the public, State Minister Mir Shahe Alam urged citizens to regularly clean abandoned tires, plastic containers, and any other items around the house, rooftops, balconies, and surroundings where water can accumulate. Public awareness, combined with government initiatives, will play a crucial role in preventing dengue.
The meeting was attended by the secretaries of the Local Government Division and the Health Division, the administrator of the Dhaka South City Corporation, relevant officials from the Dhaka North and South City Corporations, and chief health officers from all 13 city corporations. Officials from the 11 city corporations outside Dhaka joined the meeting virtually.
