Dengue largely under control through govt’s coordinated efforts: State minister

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit today (10 October) claimed that dengue was largely under control due to the current government’s coordinated measures.
Speaking to journalists after attending a workshop at Rajshahi, he said dengue infections and deaths were at their highest in 2019, while the situation remained severe in 2020 and 2021.
“But now dengue is largely under control thanks to the current government’s coordinated efforts,” he claimed.
The state minister also said dengue was more prevalent in Khulna and Barishal divisions, while the incidence was lower in Rajshahi.
Although people were still contracting the disease, he said, efforts were underway to ensure appropriate treatment and curb its spread.
“Previously, the government would only take action after the issue received media attention. This time, work began three months in advance, with data collection starting early,” he said.
He added that cleanliness campaigns were being conducted across the country with the support of volunteers, while 2,000 doctors had received training in dengue treatment. He also claimed that infection rates and deaths were lower than in previous years.
Addressing the measles outbreak, Muhit referred to the previous interim government’s failure to carry out vaccinations for the current situation.
He said measles was more contagious than Covid-19 and difficult to control once an outbreak began, adding that it had not been possible to bring the disease fully under control despite extensive efforts.
A vaccination campaign was underway, he said, with two crore children vaccinated so far.
The state minister also said the government was overhauling healthcare services at upazila level.
Diagnostic facilities would be introduced at upazila health complexes, with work already underway to establish laboratories, he said.