National committee reconstituted to strengthen dengue prevention

The Local Government Division has reconstituted a national committee on the prevention of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases to strengthen nationwide efforts against dengue and other vector-borne illnesses.

The decision was announced through a circular issued today (15 June).

According to the circular, the committee formed on 27 May 2025 has been reorganised to ensure more effective coordination among ministries, government agencies and relevant stakeholders.

Under the new structure, the minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives will serve as the committee's chairperson, while the state minister will act as vice-chairperson.

The committee includes the mayors of both Dhaka city corporations, as well as senior secretaries and secretaries from the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister's Office and several key ministries.

Members also include representatives from the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk), Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), NGO Affairs Bureau and chief executive officers of city corporations.

To strengthen technical expertise, the chairpersons of the Department of Zoology at the University of Dhaka and the Department of Entomology at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University have been included as expert members.

According to the circular, the committee's key responsibilities include providing policy guidance for the prevention of dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases across the country, monitoring and coordinating ongoing activities, conducting research, and formulating and updating national policies related to disease prevention.

The committee has been instructed to hold at least four meetings annually. The circular also allows the committee to co-opt additional members when necessary.