Prime Minister Seeks Citizens’ Cooperation to Tackle Dengue Risks in Video Message

Bangla Press Desk:  Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged citizens to spend at least half an hour twice a week cleaning their homes and surroundings to tackle the dengue situation.

He made the appeal in a message posted on the verified Facebook page of the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday (October 14).

“Fight the risk of dengue and destroy Aedes mosquito breeding grounds,” the prime minister said.

In his message, Tarique Rahman said, “Today, I would like to discuss an important issue with you. At the same time, I need your cooperation to help address this problem, at least to some extent. We achieved independence in 1971 by working together. We also successfully carried out the movement against autocracy in 1990 through our collective efforts.

“People from all walks of life came together again to make the 2024 mass uprising successful. If we can accomplish all these things, why can’t we address the other problems facing our country if we all contribute a little and participate together?”

He said dengue had become a serious concern, with reports of people of different ages falling ill and dying from the disease appearing regularly in newspapers.

“Those who have lost loved ones understand the pain. But if we all make an effort and come forward together, we can help many people and save them from the grief of losing their loved ones,” he said.

The prime minister noted that Bangladesh has around 25 million students at schools, colleges and universities. In addition, organisations such as the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), Scouts, Girl Guides, the Red Crescent and the Red Cross have approximately four million members.

Over the past month, these students and volunteers have been trying to clean up rubbish and waste across districts and upazilas every Saturday, as far as possible, he said.

“We all know, and most of you watching this video are aware, that the Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue, breeds in stagnant water,” he said.

Such water can accumulate in corners of homes, along roads and in other places where rubbish and waste allow water to collect,