Public participation crucial in dengue prevention: State Minister

The government is placing greater emphasis on public awareness rather than punitive measures in its efforts to curb dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Mir Shahe Alam has said.

Speaking to reporters after overseeing a special anti-mosquito campaign and mobile court operation in Dhaka’s Jigatala and South Kutubkhali canal areas on Thursday, the minister said the primary objective of the government’s ongoing initiatives is to encourage citizens to take preventive action against mosquito breeding.

He stressed that while enforcement measures remain available, the broader goal is to build public consciousness and community participation in tackling dengue risks.

The minister urged residents to play an active role in maintaining clean surroundings and eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites. He also called on media organisations to strengthen public awareness efforts by disseminating information on dengue prevention and control.

The operation was conducted by a taskforce formed under the National Committee for Prevention of Dengue and Other Mosquito-Borne Diseases, which has been coordinating anti-mosquito activities across the capital.

During the drive, authorities discovered Aedes mosquito larvae at two privately owned buildings that were under construction. Mobile courts subsequently fined the owners Tk 50,000 each, bringing the total penalty to Tk 100,000 under Section 270 of the Penal Code, 1860.

Inspection teams also visited residential properties, hotels, restaurants and several construction sites in the Jigatala area. Warning notices were placed at locations where conditions favourable to mosquito breeding were identified.

Officials reported finding stagnant waste and other environmental conditions conducive to mosquito proliferation in several government residential compounds managed by the Public Works Department (PWD). Residents and relevant authorities were advised to take immediate corrective measures.

Business owners and pedestrians were also encouraged to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal, which officials said contributes to unhealthy environmental conditions and increases public health risks.

Later, the state minister visited the South Kutubkhali canal in Jatrabari, where he met local residents and discussed measures to improve cleanliness and environmental management in the area. He issued directives aimed at ensuring the canal and its surrounding neighbourhoods remain free from waste accumulation.

Senior officials accompanying the minister included RAJUK Chairman Engineer Riazul Islam, Dhaka South City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Md Jahirul Islam, Chief Waste Management Officer Air Commodore Md Mahbubur Rahman Talukder, Dhaka South Chief Health Officer Jahane Ferdous Binte Rahman and Deputy Secretary of the Local Government Division Md Robiul Islam, among others.

The taskforce is expected to continue its operations across Dhaka as part of wider efforts to reduce dengue transmission and strengthen public health safeguards during the peak mosquito season.