|
|
Change Your Life! |
Hasina at health ministry to discuss Dengue |
|
News
|
|
|
August 10, 2000
Dhaka (UNB) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday (Wednesday) said the government has taken necessary measures on emergency basis to control the spread of Dengue virus and the total situation is under control. "There is nothing to be alarmed. Instead, you should undertake cleanliness measures to destroy breeding spots of the Aedes mosquito around your homesteads," she urged the people and directed the officials to continue their all out efforts for tackling the deadly disease. Talking to the Health ministry officials at a review meeting at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the Prime Minister asked all concerned to take further necessary steps to combat the dengue menace and motivate the people not to be panicked. The officials at the meeting apprised the Prime Minister of the details of measures taken by various government organs and NGOs to tackle the situation created by the spread of Dengue virus. According to official figures, 21 people died of Dengue fever and 1,212 others affected by the Dengue virus till Tuesday (Aug 8). In different hospitals, some 297 patients have been admitted with Dengue fever. The meeting was told that the Health directorate has formed a high-powered committee to monitor and to take immediate necessary steps to deal with the situation arising out of the spread of dengue virus. The directorate has also set up a control room, which is working round the clock for taking immediate steps necessary for tackling any situation. Health ministry officials said that immediate steps have been taken to conduct blood tests and to detect the dengue-affected patients. The World Bank has already supplied 1,500 test kits and taken steps to bring more 5,000 test kits. About the prevention of Dengue fever, they said there is no specific preventive drug, it cures naturally from two to seven days. Death risk can be avoided by taking immediate treatment on the basis of symptoms. Spread of Dengue virus can be stopped by destroying the carrier of the virus - the Aedes mosquito, the officials said suggesting massive propaganda to motivate the people to destroy the breeding grounds of Aedes. The meeting was informed of the steps taken by the Dhaka City Corporation to destroy the breeding spots of Aedes mosquito. The Corporation is conducting cleanliness drive and spraying insecticide to kill the larva of Aedes mosquito. It is carrying out programmes to make people aware of the virus and to take necessary preventive steps to stop the spread of virus. The officials said special training on Dengue has been given to 120 physicians and the government is continuing such training programmes for tackling with the situation quickly. The government has also take up regular programmes in the media to publicise matters needed to be done by the people for the prevention of the disease and to stop its further spread. Officials told the meeting that regular programme is being screened on television, aired over the radio and huge quantity of posters printed to send information to the people. The officials said that steps have been taken to bring foreign experts. Steps have also been taken to test blood free of cost at 10 government hospitals of the city, including Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Sir Salimullah Medical College Hospital, Shishu Hospital, BIRDEM, Suhrawardy Hospital, ICDDR,B, Government Employees Hospital, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, and Mahanagar General Hospital. In these hospitals, blood was being tested on emergency basis to detect the dengue virus and expert physicians were giving necessary suggestions, they said. Besides the government measures, steps have been taken to involve various NGOs and voluntary organisations in preventing the Dengue virus through massive awareness drive. Religious institutions are also involved in the process. Health and Family Welfare Minister Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Dhaka City Mayor Mohammad Hanif, State Minister for Health Prof M Amanullah, Cabinet Secretary Kazi Shamsul Alam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr SA Samad, Health Secretary Syed Alamgir Farrouk Chowdhury and senior officials of the Health ministry attended the meeting. |