City corporation bears 50 percent of dengue duty, citizens the other 50: DSCC administrator

Alongside the city corporation, citizens must also carry an equal share of responsibility in preventing dengue, said Md Abdus Salam, administrator of the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). He said the city corporation bears 50 percent of the responsibility for dengue control and citizens the other 50 percent; dengue can only be controlled if everyone performs their own duty.

He made the remarks on Thursday (November 12) at a scientific seminar held at the Nagar Bhaban auditorium on the current dengue situation and trends in Bangladesh, prevention measures, and innovative vector-control strategies for public health protection.

The seminar was organised jointly by the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and the Zoological Society of Bangladesh. Discussions covered recent dengue trends in Bangladesh, effective prevention initiatives, control of mosquito breeding sites, and modern, science-based mosquito control strategies for public health protection.

The DSCC administrator said that since taking charge, special crash programmes have been run alongside regular dengue control activities. A comparison of surveys conducted last March and October showed that the situation had improved in several previously risky wards as a result of the special activities.

However, he noted with concern that around 50 percent of the Aedes mosquito larvae found in the surveyed inspections were in various places around households. That is why citizen awareness and active participation are extremely important in preventing dengue, he said.

He added that the city corporation is running various activities including miking, leaflet distribution and campaigns in mosques to prevent dengue. But beyond campaigns alone, every citizen must ensure that water does not accumulate anywhere — on rooftops, in yards, at under-construction buildings, or where air-conditioner water collects.

The DSCC administrator said a coordinated initiative of the government, the city corporation, social organisations and citizens is needed to build Dhaka as a clean, green and liveable city. Calling on the Zoological Society of Bangladesh and other social and professional organisations to be more active in public awareness work, he said the Dhaka South City Corporation would stand beside such initiatives as a partner.

Speakers at the meeting stressed public awareness, saying that alongside the city corporation, every citizen must perform their own duty to prevent dengue. To that end, people were urged to keep their homes, yards and surroundings clean every Saturday.

The speakers said everyone must stay alert so that water does not collect anywhere and create mosquito breeding grounds. The seminar expressed the view that only through combined efforts can a dengue-free and clean city be built.