City Corporation to take key action in mosquito eradication: Health Minister
Health Minister Zahid Maleq has suggested conducting mosquito control activities throughout the year.
He said homeowners need to be careful. However, the main action for mosquito eradication will have to be taken by the City Corporation.
The Chinese Ambassador handed over the dengue test kit to Zahid Maleq in the meeting room of the Ministry of Health at the Secretariat on Monday (September 4). He said these things in this event.
The Health Minister said, we are fulfilling our responsibility. Where there is a need for a doctor, we give doctors and nurses. Work is also being done where there are more mosquitoes. But the main action has to be taken by the City Corporation. We want to see that initiative. I think it is necessary to spray the right amount of good quality medicine throughout the year.
Zahid Maleq said, We are grateful to the Chinese government, their representatives and Sinovac. They gave us 20 thousand kits. You know that the Chinese government is very involved with us. We received Sinovac vaccine from China during Corona. Apart from this, I got many important items including face mask. When the corona virus first hit China, we also sent a lot of things to them. The Government of Bangladesh has a friendly relationship with the Government of China. Dengue occurs every year in our country. Last year dengue was slightly less but this year the number of patients is high.
He also said that dengue larvae are being found in every district. Dengue outbreaks and deaths will not decrease until mosquitoes are reduced. Larvae are found around most large buildings, in drains and in flower pots. We all have to work together to get out of this problem.
The minister said yesterday (Sunday) a statistic showed that nine thousand patients are in the hospital. So far 634 people have died. Most of the deaths are due to delay in seeking treatment. We urge patients to get tested for dengue and seek medical attention immediately if they develop fever.
He said, every death is painful for us. We are treating in the same way as WHO said to treat. Focusing only on mosquito control in Dhaka will not be enough. Activities should be increased in all city corporations and districts and upazilas. At the same time, we need to protect ourselves by increasing public awareness.
When asked whether the ministry will take any action in case of emergency, he said, we have thousands of vacant beds. We want the bed to be emptier. We don't want anyone to become a patient. However, we are prepared if beds are required on an urgent basis.