Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain has warned that dengue has evolved from a seasonal illness into a nationwide public health challenge, stressing that government efforts alone will not be enough without active participation from all citizens.
Speaking at the inauguration of the first batch of the National Training of Trainers Programme on Clinical Management of Dengue at Shaheed Dr Milon Hall of Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), the minister described dengue control as a “collective national struggle.” He said authorities can instruct city corporations and district administrations to carry out cleaning and mosquito control drives, but eliminating mosquitoes entirely is not realistically achievable.
He explained that Aedes mosquitoes can travel considerable distances and easily enter homes through small openings, making prevention extremely difficult. “This is a very tough battle,” he said, adding that effective control depends on cleaning every drain, ditch, stagnant water body and areas where water accumulates across both urban and rural regions.
The minister emphasised that no single agency can solve the crisis independently, calling for a coordinated national response involving local government bodies, health authorities and the general public. He also cautioned that while dengue vaccination is being discussed, its high cost and logistical challenges make large-scale implementation difficult, especially if repeated doses are required.
Sakhawat Hossain said priority must therefore be given to prevention rather than relying solely on treatment. He highlighted common mosquito breeding sites such as construction sites, clogged drains, discarded containers, tyres, and waterlogged road surfaces.
He also stressed the importance of timely diagnosis and proper clinical management, particularly early detection of plasma leakage in patients, which can quickly lead to severe complications. Doctors at district and upazila levels, he added, are being trained under guidelines supported by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), UNICEF Bangladesh, and the Bangladesh Society of Medicine.
BMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr FM Siddiqui and other health experts also underscored the need for continuous monitoring and rapid medical response to reduce dengue-related deaths.
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