Dhaka: Announcing plans to involve voluntary organisations in dengue prevention, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit today said that a coordinated social movement would be launched nationwide within a few days against dengue. 'A coordinated social movement will be launched within the next one or two days with the participation of the Red Crescent, Scouts, Girl Guides and various social and cultural organizations alongside the government employees to prevent the dengue,' he said at a press conference at the General Osmani Gate of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, particular emphasis will be given to apartment buildings in the capital, where access for workers is often restricted. Muhit urged apartment associations and individual residents to remain vigilant and take personal responsibility for preventing mosquito breeding. Emphasizing on motivating citizens rather than policing or punishment, Muhit said, 'An infectious disease like dengue cannot be eliminated through surveillance alone. To protect themselves from infection, every citizen must become a health worker in their own.'
Urging everyone to keep their workplaces and homes clean and hygienic to contain the dengue situation, he stated that the dengue infection rate could peak in the last week of September or the first week of October. Muhit highlighted that an analysis of data from the past three to four years showed that the peak period of dengue generally occurs due to rainfall patterns, warm temperatures, and overall climate change.
He noted that if preventive measures are not strengthened now, the number of infections and deaths could increase next month. Highlighting preparations at hospitals, he mentioned that greater emphasis is being placed on prevention rather than treatment of dengue in hospitals. However, special preparations have been taken to ensure there is no crisis even if the number of patients increases.
The state minister assured that there is currently no shortage of beds in hospitals. To cope with any potential pressure, a zoom meeting will be held with all civil surgeons on Monday, where instructions will be given to keep additional beds ready and ensure adequate stocks of saline and test kits. Muhit said around 300 physicians have received refresher training on standard dengue management with the support of the Society of Medicine to help reduce the fatality rate.
He also mentioned that adequate mosquito nets are being distributed inside hospitals to prevent the spread of dengue, while special surveillance measures are being taken in densely populated areas surrounding the hospitals. Referring to the death toll in recent years, Muhit said the government is strengthening coordinated measures one month in advance this year, considering every death to be highly sensitive and serious.
Regarding mosquito control, he stated that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been working in coordination with the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, and city corporations for the past two months. Mosquito-control activities will be intensified further to address the potential risks in September and October. The State Minister sought active cooperation from the media in disseminating messages urging people not to panic but to remain vigilant and take preventive measures against dengue.