Ministries need to join hands to fight dengue
Diferent ministries must work collaboratively to eliminate the threat of mosquito-borne disease dengue, said LGRD Minister Md Tajul Islam yesterday.
“The government is working relentlessly to tackle the disease… different ministries need to work together to prevent dengue,” he said.
The minister was speaking at a seminar on “Vector Problems in Bangladesh: An Integrated Management Approach”, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BISS) auditorium in the capital.
Bangladesh, like some other Southeast Asian countries, was hit by a massive outbreak of dengue this year. A large number of new cases put a severe strain on the country’s overwhelmed medical system.
Since January, 93,361 people were hospitalised with dengue fever -- most of them in Dhaka. Of them, 91,062 have fully recovered. The government has so far confirmed 98 dengue-related deaths.
“We’re constantly working to prevent dengue. Initiatives have been taken to create a cell to this end. The local government ministry is working in this regard,” Tajul Islam said in his speech as chief guest.
He mentioned that efforts are being made to include information about dengue in textbooks.
Speaking at the seminar, State Minister for Information Dr Murad Hasan said it is important to work through inter-ministry initiatives for preventing dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.
Dr Manjur A Chowdhury, vice chairman of CGS, presented the keynote address while CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman conducted the seminar.
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