Public Awareness Vital to Prevent Dengue: Mirza Fakhrul

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated that raising public awareness is essential to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

Highlighting the newly formed national committee on mosquito-borne disease prevention, he emphasized the need for stronger online awareness campaigns. The minister made the remarks at a seminar organized by the Improvement of Urban Public Health Preventive Service Project (IUPHPSP) at a hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday (July 1). Speakers at the event noted that the World Bank-funded IUPHPSP, run by the Local Government Division, aims to strengthen disease prevention capacity in urban areas.

The project focuses on expanding public health services and developing effective measures against diseases like dengue. Mirza Fakhrul highlighted the national committee's ongoing efforts, noting its first meeting had already taken place. He expressed hope that IUPHPSP would play a key role in supporting these initiatives. Despite various government measures, Aedes mosquito larvae continue to breed, making public awareness vital, the minister said. He urged for expanded online campaigns to encourage preventive habits among citizens.

The minister added that the Prime Minister prioritizes public health, cleanliness, and disease prevention to build a healthy and clean Bangladesh. Under his leadership, the government is collectively moving forward to achieve that goal. Attendees included Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Md. Shafiqul Islam Khan, Director General of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Inspection Division Md. Mahmudul Hasan, and IUPHPSP Project Director Abul Khair Mohammad Hafizullah Khan, alongside other senior officials.