PM urges citizens to clean homes twice a week to prevent dengue

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman has urged every citizen and family to spend at least 30 minutes to an hour twice a week cleaning their homes and surrounding areas to prevent the spread of dengue.In a message posted on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday night, the prime minister said eliminating mosquito breeding sites, particularly stagnant water and accumulated waste, was one of the most effective ways to prevent the disease.Let us, as individuals and families, spend at least 30 minutes to an hour twice a week cleaning our homes, surrounding areas and the places we pass through every day where dengue mosquitoes may breed, he said.Tarek said people of different ages were falling ill with dengue, and many were dying from the disease. Collective efforts could help save numerous families from the grief of losing loved ones, he added.Collective action key to dengue preventionReferring to Bangladesh’s major national achievements, the prime minister said the country had achieved independence in 1971, succeeded in the anti-autocracy movement in 1990 and witnessed the July mass uprising in 2024 through the collective efforts of people from all walks of life.If we can achieve all these things together, why can’t we contribute collectively to solving other problems facing the country? he asked.The prime minister noted that around 25 million students attend schools, colleges and universities across the country. In addition, approximately four million people are associated with organisations such as the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), Scouts, Girl Guides and the Red Crescent.According to him, students and members of these organisations have been trying to clean up waste and garbage in different districts and upazilas across the country every Saturday for nearly a month.Focus on eliminating mosquito breeding sitesEmphasising preventive measures, Tarek said destroying mosquito breeding sites by removing stagnant water and waste was more effective than relying on vaccines.He also referred to studies indicating limited effectiveness of dengue vaccines.Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water around homes, on roads and in public gathering places, he said, stressing the need for regular cleaning of these areas. A government succeeds when it works for the country alongside its people, the prime minister said, adding that his government wanted to address the country’s various challenges through joint efforts involving both the government and citizens. Calling for a united effort against dengue, Tarek said collective action could prevent deaths among dengue patients and protect many more lives in the days ahead.