‘National committee to prevent dengue’
A collective effort is being taken to tackle the mosquito menace in order to prevent the spread of dengue fever in the capital, said Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Tajul Islam yesterday.
A national steering committee, led by the LGRD ministry, will be formed engaging representatives of all ministries, government departments and agencies to make the effort a success, the minster said.
The decision was taken in an intra-ministerial meeting held at the ministry office in Dhaka with Tajul Islam in the chair.
As part of the efforts, the two city corporations, cantonment areas and the civil aviation authority will launch simultaneous drives in this regard as per the schedule set by the LGRD ministry.
Tajul Islam, at the meeting, said ministries or directorates concerned will monitor maintenance works of the government buildings, waterbodies and parks while the task to tackle the mosquito menace will be conducted by the two city corporations.
According to Directorate General of Health Services control room, a total of 271 dengue patients were admitted to different hospitals across the country since January 1. Of them, 63 are from outside Dhaka.
On March 30, while talking to government officials of 64 districts through videoconference from her official residence Gono Bhaban, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to check mosquitoes, in order to prevent dengue.
The problem will amplify if dengue emerges in the country during the crisis caused by the spread of coronavirus, the premier had said.
Following the prime minister's call, the LGRD ministry held the meeting and undertook the decision, Tajul Islam said.
The meeting also decided that all the waterbodies, empty spaces between two buildings, kitchen markets, government offices and residential establishments will have to be cleaned on an emergency basis. Also, toilet lids and containers at government and private offices during national holidays have to be covered properly.
The meeting decided to take legal steps against owners of under-construction buildings where aedes mosquito larvae will be found.
Cleaning drives will be conducted under the leadership of local ward councillors. If necessary, a social volunteer team will have to be formed where there will be eight sub-committees, involving 20 eminent personalities of a ward.
The two city corporations will have to place their plans to the ministry by next seven days, the meeting said, adding that the city corporations and Dhaka Wasa will work in a coordinated way to control aedes mosquitoes.
Among others, newly-elected Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam, LGD Senior Secretary Helaluddin Ahmed, Housing and Public Works Secretary Md Shahidullah Khandokar and Agriculture Secretary Md Nasiruzzaman were present at the meeting.
Comments