Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to raise public awareness about dengue prevention through loudspeaker announcements in neighbourhoods and awareness messages during Friday prayers.

He gave the directives at a meeting on dengue prevention and control at the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat on Tuesday.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister said the next few months would be crucial for controlling dengue, stressing the need for all relevant government agencies to work in a coordinated manner to prevent the spread of the disease.

He particularly emphasised strengthening preventive measures in areas where dengue infections were more prevalent.

Tarique Rahman also stressed the importance of ensuring public participation in dengue prevention. To this end, he directed the authorities to raise awareness through regular loudspeaker announcements in neighbourhoods and to include messages on dengue prevention and the steps people should take in Friday prayer sermons.

The meeting also decided to ensure cleanliness in government residential quarters and hospital premises.

It also underscored the need to strengthen coordination among the relevant ministries, divisions and agencies to make dengue prevention and control activities more effective.

Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain, Health State Minister Dr MA Muhith, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives State Minister Mir Shah-e-Alam, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan, Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton attended the meeting.

Secretaries and senior officials of the relevant ministries were also present.