Collective efforts needed to prevent mosquito-borne diseases

Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam today called upon all to keep their homes and surroundings clean and destroy potential breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases.

"Prevention is more important than cure. Therefore, everyone must work together to destroy Aedes breeding grounds and raise public awareness," he said.

The DC made the remarks while talking to journalists after joining a cleanliness drive at the Rajshahi Jute Mill area in Katakhali Municipality of Paba Upazila this morning.

The drive was organised as part of a three-month special programme under the nationwide National Dengue Prevention and Cleanliness Campaign.

Highlighting the importance of cleanliness in preventing mosquito-borne diseases, Shahidul Islam said stagnant water and an unclean environment create favourable conditions for the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes.

"Cleanliness is a part of faith. To prevent the spread of dengue, we must keep our homes and surroundings clean and tidy. In particular, stagnant water must be removed and mosquito breeding grounds must be destroyed," he said.

He said regular cleanliness drives are being conducted every Saturday at 78 spots across nine upazilas of the district as part of the three-month dengue prevention and cleanliness campaign launched by the Prime Minister.

The activities are being carried out in coordination with government officials, development partners, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, voluntary organisations, students, teachers and parents, he added.

"The main strength of health policy is that prevention is better than cure. We want diseases to be prevented before they occur. For this, everyone must work together to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases," the DC said.

He also said a clean environment can be ensured through concerted efforts by public and private institutions, teachers and students, which would help build a healthy and safe society for future generations.

During the programme, organised in front of Katakhali Municipality, the DC himself joined the cleanliness activities, using a hoe and a fogging machine.

Under his leadership, potential Aedes breeding grounds were identified and destroyed, stagnant water was removed and the surrounding areas were cleaned.

Additional DC Sabur Ali, Senior Assistant Commissioner Abhijit Sarker, Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Administrator of Katakhali Municipality Mohammad Mehedi Hasan, Nezarat Deputy Collector Arif Hossain and Executive Officer of Katakhali Municipality Sirajum Munira, among others, attended the programme.