Adopt year-round plan to control mosquito
With dengue situation getting worse every day, speakers at a discussion yesterday urged the government to ensure that people in rural areas are well informed about nearby facilities where they can seek treatment during Eid holidays.
They said an integrated national plan has to be adopted to deal with such outbreaks and it should be implemented round the year.
Poribesh Bachao Andolon (Poba) organised the discussion at its headquarters in Dhaka.
After the dengue outbreak spread to almost every district in the country, health experts now fear the viral fever will spread further and faster during Eid vacation, when tens of thousands of people are expected to head home.
Many of these holidaymakers might be infected with the mosquito-borne virus, and they may end up spreading it quickly if adequate measures are not taken, doctors and experts said.
“There’s a lack of facilities in rural areas. It’s important to make sure that people get treatment,” said health expert Dr Lenin Chowdhury at yesterday’s discussion.
Dr Bilkis Begum Chowdhury said expectant mothers should be given special attention.
Speakers also blamed unplanned urbanisation, waste mismanagement, climate change and negligence of the authorities concerned behind this year’s dengue outbreak.
They also criticised the authorities for their “insensitive” statements and “blame game” with dengue.
Speakers placed a set of recommendations including massive awareness campaign, discouraging dengue patients to travel, and setting up dengue treatment cell in all upazila level health complexes.
Presided over by Poba Chairperson Abu Naser Khan, the discussion was addressed by its general secretary Abdus Sobhan, researcher Pavel Partho, and lawyer Mahbubul Al Tahin, among others.
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