Dengue largely under control through govt's coordinated efforts: State minister
2 crore children vaccinated amid measles outbreak, he says.
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare MA Muhit today (11 October) said dengue was largely under control due to the government's coordinated efforts, while a vaccination campaign against measles was continuing nationwide.
Speaking to journalists after attending a workshop in Rajshahi, he said dengue infections and deaths peaked 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 said.
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Dengue was more prevalent in the Khulna and Barishal divisions, while infections were lower in Rajshahi, he said. Although people were still contracting the disease, efforts were underway to ensure proper treatment and curb its spread.
The state minister said preparations had begun three months in advance this year, with early data collection, unlike previous years when action was taken only after media coverage. Nationwide cleanliness campaigns were also underway with volunteers, while 2,000 doctors had received training in dengue treatment. He claimed infection rates and deaths were lower than in previous years.
On the measles outbreak, Muhit attributed the current situation to the previous interim government's failure to conduct the necessary vaccinations. He said measles was more contagious than Covid-19 and difficult to contain 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, with two crore children vaccinated so far, he said.
The state minister also said the government was overhauling healthcare services at the upazila level. Diagnostic facilities would be introduced at upazila health complexes, with work already underway to establish laboratories.
