As the mayors, councillors and many employees of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have been absent from their workplaces since the fall of Sheikh Hasina-led government, services such as waste collection and disposal, issuance of birth certificates and mosquito control activities are being hindered
seriously.
DSCC mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, the nephew of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, left the country on July 3 while nobody knows the whereabouts of DNCC mayor Md Atiqul Islam. On the other hand, at least 118 councillors out of 129 of DSCC and DNCC have also remained absent from their workplaces since the regime change.
The stock of pesticides and mosquito control machines is usually kept in the offices of councillors. Therefore, we are very concerned about who will take necessary steps to contain the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
Bangladesh witnessed the deadliest year of dengue outbreak in 2023 with over three lakh dengue cases and 1,700 deaths. Dengue cases have already started rising with the advent of monsoon this year.
118 councillors out of 129 of DSCC and DNCC
have also remained absent from their
workplaces since the regime change
All relevant organisations must make concerted efforts immediately to curb the spread of dengue disease.
Besides, city dwellers must be cautious about stagnant water which is the main source of breeding of Aedes mosquito. According to health experts, Aedes mosquitoes can breed in a small quantity of water leading to such deadly disease.
Dengue outbreak is usually seen with the onset of monsoon between May and September marking the peak dengue season. However, recent years have witnessed a worrying trend as cases of dengue fever are reported in all the districts.
In the abscence of two mayors, councillors, and many employees of the two city corporations, the interim government must take preventive measures for destroying breeding grounds of Aedes mosquito to stop the outbreak of dengue disease. Public awareness is also a crucial factor to bring mosquito-borne viral disease under control.
The authorities concerned should engage all levels of people, including owners of houses, business and religious organisations and other infrastructures, to destroy breeding grounds of Aedes mosquito.
