Staff Correspondent, Tangail
Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku on Saturday picked up a broom and joined a cleanliness drive at the Tangail Medical College Hospital premises as part of a nationwide campaign to prevent dengue.
The campaign followed the launch of a nationwide dengue prevention and cleanliness drive by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Tuku inaugurated the programme at the hospital premises on Saturday and then personally cleaned garbage from different parts of the compound. He also took part in removing stagnant water and clearing potential breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes.
Earlier, an awareness rally was brought out from the District Administration Office. Participants from different walks of life marched through key streets of the city before ending at the Tangail Medical College Hospital.
‘Destroy mosquito breeding sites’
Speaking at the programme, Tuku said the next three months would be particularly crucial in preventing the spread of dengue.
“Alongside raising public awareness, everyone must play an active role in destroying Aedes mosquito breeding grounds,” he said.
He stressed that eliminating breeding sites is among the most effective ways to prevent dengue.
“Do not allow water to accumulate on rooftops, in flowerpots, discarded containers, coconut shells or anywhere else,” Tuku said. “Everyone must keep their homes, institutions and surroundings clean.”
The state minister urged people to join the government’s campaign and take responsibility for keeping their own surroundings free of stagnant water.
“If we all fulfil our responsibilities from our respective positions, we can significantly control the spread of Aedes mosquitoes,” he said.
He also stressed the need for collective action, saying public awareness alone would not be enough unless people actively participate in keeping their surroundings clean.
District Commissioner Sharifa Haque, Police Superintendent Shamsul Alam Sarker, Civil Surgeon Dr Farazi Mohammad Mahbubul Alam Manju, Tangail Medical College Hospital Director Md Abdul Quddus, General Hospital Deputy Director Khandaker Sadikur Rahman, former BNP district member secretary Mahmudul Haque Sanu, former organising secretary Shafiqul Rahman Khan Shafik, Tangail Sadar Upazila BNP Senior Joint Secretary Azim Uddin Biplob, and leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations attended the programme.
