Md Joynal Abedin Khan with Abdul Alim :
Confusion has arisen over the number of the patients so far by the ongoing outbreak of the dengue diseases in Dhaka and other districts.
Health Minister Zahid Malik on Saturday claimed that dengue is under control and number of the patients has started decreasing.
He also said that country’s present dengue crisis has not become an epidemic yet.
“This situation (dengue) cannot be called an epidemic. There is nothing to be worried,’ he replied to a query of journalists while visiting dengue patients at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on Saturday.
Meanwhile, dengue cases are still surging across the country as 1,649 more new people were hospitalised with the mosquito-borne deadly virus in 24 hours till 8:00 am on Saturday.
Around 22,919 people were admitted to different hospitals while 16,047 of them were released after treatment till Saturday from January 1, according to the fresh data of Director General of Health Services (DGHS).
It also said that 5085 people infected in dengue in 48 hours of the present month.
According to the DGHS data, 18 dengue patients died during the same period, but the unofficial death toll is much higher. At least 13,182 people were infected in last month while dengue infection count of an entire year never crossed the 11,000 mark in the last 18 years.
But the right body Susasoner Jonno Nagrik Secretary Badiul alam Majumder claimed on Saturday that that country’s present dengue crisis fully turned into an epidemic condition.
After realizing the epidemic condition of dengue, the Local Government Division also has cancelled the holidays of the employees of the all city corporations, municipalities.
The government has cancelled the weekly and public holidays of all employees of the Local Government Division, all city corporations and municipalities of the country to make drives against dengue outbreak successful, said Md Ershadul Haque, Deputy Secretary of LGD.
Apart from this, Dhaka North and South City Corporation canceled their Eid vacation.
As per same condition of dengue, Dhaka Metropolitan Police’ all units have been directed to participate to tackle dengue situation. At last 50,000 police members will be involved with the drive covering all barracks.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on Saturday launched a cleanup campaign to rein in the outbreak of mosquito-borne disease dengue.
After inaugurating the campaign at Rajarbagh Police Lines, DMP Commissioner Asaduzzaman Mia said 50,000 police members will be involved with the drive covering all barracks, police station compounds, and office units.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that cops are working for the dengue patients.
The authorities concerned may fine the house owners if find dirty environment in any building.
It is not possible to tackle the ongoing dengue situation of the country unless a unified and concerted effort is accomplished in this regard.
“We will get rid of the dengue crisis if a round-the-year concerted effort is made,” he said.
He said it while speaking as the chief gust at a meeting to mark the National Mourning Day and the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the National Institute of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in the capital.
In this backdrop, two private hospitals were fined in the capital on Saturday for charging extra fees for dengue identification tests.
The National Health Care Network, and Alok Health Care were fined Tk 50,000 each by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP).
A team led by DNCRP assistant directors Afroza Rahman and Abdul Jabbar realised the fine, said a press release.
