State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said that the coordinated efforts of administrators have given new momentum to dengue prevention. He said that in addition to government initiatives, the combined participation of city corporations, voluntary organizations, educational institutions and the general public must be ensured in controlling dengue.
He made these remarks at a meeting of the Task Force Committee formed to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases held online at the conference room of the Local Government Division at the Secretariat on Tuesday (July 21).
The State Minister said that the city corporation cleaners engaged in urban cleanliness must play a more responsible and active role. At the same time, citizens must be aware of keeping their homes, educational institutions, buildings under construction and the surrounding environment clean.
He especially emphasized conducting regular campaigns in buildings under construction and strengthening awareness programs to prevent dengue in educational institutions.
Mir Shahe Alam said, “Prevention is more effective than treatment in preventing dengue. Therefore, utmost importance must be given to destroying the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquito larvae and cleanliness activities must be further strengthened.”
At the meeting, the State Minister listened to the statements of the administrators of the city corporations and was informed about the ongoing activities to prevent dengue. In the light of practical experience at the field level, he gave necessary directions to make the activities more coordinated and fruitful.
He said, under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, the appointment of administrators in city corporations has created new momentum in field-level activities. The administrators’ sincerity, dedication and coordinated efforts have given new momentum to dengue prevention activities. He called for further expansion of awareness activities by involving voluntary organizations, educational institutions and local people in addition to government initiatives.
The administrators of Mymensingh, Rangpur and Rajshahi City Corporations were present in person at the meeting. In addition, administrators, CEOs, chief health officers and related officials of various city corporations including Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet, Comilla, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Bogra participated virtually. Senior officials of the Local Government Department were also present at the meeting.
