Chattogram:Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain has urged residents to share accurate information concerning dengue and avoid spreading misleading claims about the disease.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the mayor, speaking as the chief guest at a divisional-level training program on the clinical management of dengue, emphasized the importance of individual responsibility in maintaining cleanliness in their areas to prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes. This event was organized by the Directorate General of Health Services at Hotel Peninsula, with support from UNICEF Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Society of Medicine.
Mayor Shahadat highlighted a decline in dengue infections and deaths across the country this year compared to the previous year. He pointed out the necessity of comparing national and local statistics for a proper assessment, warning that focusing solely on infection or death figures without context could lead to confusion.
He remarked that false information contributes to confusion and allows those in positions of responsibility to evade accountability.
During the training program, speakers stressed the significance of early diagnosis and timely treatment of dengue patients. They also called for increased public awareness about the importance of keeping environments clean, preventing stagnant water, and eliminating mosquito breeding sites.
The program was presided over by Professor Dr. Mohammad Jashim Uddin, principal of Chattogram Medical College. Other notable speakers included Brigadier General Mohammad Taslim Uddin, director of Chattogram Medical College Hospital; Prof Dr. Mohammad Monir-uz-Zaman, principal of Sir Salimullah Medical College; Prof Dr. Mohammad Zakaria Al Aziz of Dhaka Medical College; Prof Belayet Hossain Dhali, secretary of the Bangladesh Paediatric Association; and Madhuri Banerjee, chief of the UNICEF Bangladesh Field Office.