Dhaka: Two six-member separate expert committees, formed at Dhaka north and south city corporations due to a rise in dengue cases, have now been working tirelessly to devise an effective and durable solution to prevent the mosquito-borne disease. ‘The expert committee held its maiden meeting two weeks back and we’ve got some suggestions from them to combat dengue in a more effective way. We want to use their expertise in finding an effective solution to prevent dengue,’ Md Mahmudul Hasan, administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and president of its expert committee told BSS today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the experts have recommended ensuring the use of standard and perfect doses of insecticides alongside conducting a separate survey on the mosquito-borne diseases along with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Mahmudul said they have already started execution of the expert suggestions. The DNCC administrator mentioned plans to hold another meeting with the experts
in a month or two to gather further opinions, with the objective of continuing consultations throughout the year.
Regular larviciding and adulticiding operations are being conducted under the DNCC area twice daily by 1,000 workers. Apart from DNCC administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan, other members of the expert committee include Dr Md Rashedul Islam, Prof Dr Golam Sarwar, Md Rezaul Karim, Brig. General Imru-al-Quais, and CEO Mir Khairul Alam.
Talking to BSS today, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Chief Health Officer (In Charge) Dr Fazle Shamsul Kabir reported the first meeting with their expert committee took place three weeks ago. The experts will present short-term and long-term plans to effectively combat the city’s dengue issue. After reviewing these plans, DSCC intends to implement comprehensive programs for dengue prevention.
Dr. Kabir identified Demra and Kamrangirchar as the most dengue-prone areas within the DSCC. Measures being taken, along with regular anti-mosquito drives by 1,050 workers, are
expected to reduce infection rates by three to four percent in a week. Shamsul highlighted that the DNCC area reported 3,893 dengue infections, resulting in 32 deaths.
The DSCC expert committee includes members such as DSCC Administrator Md Nazrul Islam, Prof Dr Mohammad Firoz Alam, Prof Dr Shefali Begum, Dr Tanjin Akter, and DNCC CEO Md Mizanur Rahman. The committees have been tasked with providing follow-up reviews and recommendations through monitoring and evaluation, alongside conducting baseline surveys and verifying pesticide doses.
The government formed these expert committees at DNCC and DSCC as part of special measures to enhance prevention activities, following a meeting with directives from LGRD and Cooperative Adviser A.F. Hassan Ariff. This year, the total number of cases rose to 64,471 while 314 deaths from dengue disease were reported till November 3, according to a statement from the Directorate General of Health Services. Last year, the country recorded 1,705 dengue-related deaths with a to
tal infection of 321,179 during the period.