Dhaka:The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator, Md Abdus Salam, announced that the government is prioritizing the treatment of dengue patients and is planning to introduce a dengue vaccine in the country soon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the announcement was made during a shadow parliament session on "Measures to Prevent Dengue," organized by Debate for Democracy (DFD) at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation in the capital.
The DSCC administrator emphasized the importance of public awareness alongside government efforts to effectively combat the spread of dengue. He stated that dengue prevention cannot rely solely on government initiatives without public cooperation.
Md Abdus Salam also mentioned that a proposal would be submitted to the Prime Minister to use funds collected from dengue prevention fines to support the families of those who have died from the disease. He highlighted ongoing discussions with hawkers and auto-rickshaw drivers to address these challenges in the city.
DFD Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiran noted that dengue has become a persistent issue throughout the year, increasing the burden on lower- and middle-income individuals who struggle with treatment costs. He urged the government to consider introducing dengue vaccination as a preventive measure, citing examples from developed countries.
In a related event, a government team from Kabi Nazrul Government College won a debate competition against the opposition team from the same college, focusing on the importance of public awareness over government initiatives in preventing dengue.