PM opens three-month nationwide dengue prevention, cleanliness campaign

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (12 September) inaugurated a three-month nationwide campaign aimed at preventing dengue and promoting cleanliness as the country braces for the peak dengue season.

The prime minister formally inaugurated the 'Dengue Prevention and Cleanliness Campaign-2026' at 9:30am at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation jointly organised the inaugural programme.

The campaign carries the slogans "Keep your own surroundings clean, let us all stay healthy" and "Remove stagnant water every day."

Organisers said around 25,000 volunteers and workers, including cleaning workers from Dhaka North and Dhaka South city corporations, members of Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC), Girl Guides, Scouts and Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, as well as students from different educational institutions, attended the programme.

Members of the Cabinet, MPs, secretaries and other senior government officials also attended the programme, while representatives of all 64 district administrations joined virtually.

The campaign will continue for three months, from 12 Sept to 12 Dec, considering the period a high-risk season for dengue.

The programme will be implemented in a coordinated manner at the city, divisional, district and upazila levels, involving local administrations, volunteer organisations and students.

The respective city corporations will coordinate activities in metropolitan areas, while deputy commissioners will coordinate programmes at the district level. At the upazila level, upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) will oversee local activities.

The cleanliness and awareness campaign will involve volunteers from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, along with Scouts, BNCC, Girl Guides, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society volunteers and students from schools and colleges.

Local Government Minister Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain, Information and Broadcasting Minister Andaleeve Rahman, State Minister for Health MA Muhit, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, Education Secretary Abdul Khaleque and Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam, among others, spoke at the programme.

The campaign was launched as dengue prevalence has increased in Dhaka and different parts of the country.

The decision to launch the campaign was taken following the Prime Minister's directive at a recent meeting on dengue prevention at the Secretariat.