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chaired by Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD). State Minister Mir Shahe Alam was also present at the meeting.

In his remarks, Mirza Fakhrul stressed the need for coordinated efforts by government agencies, noting that combating dengue requires not only official initiatives but also public awareness and active participation.

He instructed city corporations, municipalities, district councils, and other relevant public and private institutions under the LGRD ministry to perform their responsibilities more effectively.

Several measures were adopted during the meeting to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases, which include distributing leaflets and awareness materials on a large scale through various government offices and agencies; conducting special dengue awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and madrasas involving teachers, students, and parents; and strengthening cleanliness drives through coordination among local administrations, elected representatives, and civil society organisations.

Other instructions include regularly testing and monitoring the quality of fogging machines and mosquito-control operations; conducting special drives to identify and eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding sites; increasing inspections of under-construction buildings, rooftop gardens, tyre shops, garages, and waterlogged areas; expanding awareness campaigns through mass media and social media platforms; and identifying locations where dengue larvae are found and taking necessary preventive measures.

The committee also directed stronger monitoring and supervision of dengue prevention, rapid collection and analysis of patient data to identify high-risk areas, and swift action

Speakers at the meeting emphasised that, with the possibility of a rise in dengue cases during the monsoon season, it is essential to begin coordinated and robust preparations immediately.

They highlighted the need for swift implementation of the committee’s decisions, increased momentum in field-level activities, and the availability of adequate manpower.

Representatives from various ministries, agencies, and city corporations attended the meeting, along with senior officials from Dhaka University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka Wasa, Local Government Engineering Department, Department of Public Health Engineering, RAJUK, and the Local Government Division.

Meanwhile, the government recently reconstituted the national committee to make its dengue and mosquito-borne disease prevention efforts more coordinated and effective.

The committee, led by Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, includes representatives from various ministries, divisions, and agencies.

The meeting expressed hope that effective progress in dengue control would be achieved through the implementation of the decisions adopted at its first session.