Bangladesh prime minister orders nationwide cleanliness drives to prevent dengue

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed authorities to intensify nationwide cleanliness drives and public awareness campaigns with public participation to prevent dengue.

Rahman issued the directives during a meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat on the dengue situation and prevention measures, according to deputy press secretary Hasan Shiplu.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported that 40,044 dengue patients had been hospitalized nationwide as of Friday morning, with 111 deaths. People aged 16 to 30 accounted for about 42% of cases, including 5,415 patients aged 16-20, 5,722 aged 21-25, and 5,716 aged 26-30.

Rahman urged residents to remove stagnant water, waste, and mosquito breeding sites. He also directed authorities to involve Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), Rover Scouts, Red Crescent, and disaster management volunteers.

“The decisions must be reflected in the field,” Rahman said.