Dengue to be tackled with collective efforts: Quader

Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader today said the government will tackle the dengue situation through united efforts.

"We've taken dengue and flood as challenges. We'll tackle the situation in a coordinated manner," said Quader said this while addressing a press conference at the AL President's Dhanmondi political office in Dhaka.

Disclosing that the ruling party will conduct a three-day dengue prevention programme, he said, "We've responsibilities in containing dengue. We don't want to limit our duties only to government ones."

The dengue situation is alarming and the disease has already spread to 21 districts, he said adding Awami League will conduct a three-day cleanliness drive from July 31 to August 2 from the capital to union level across the country to raise public awareness.

Quader urged party leaders and workers to take part in the drive to make it a success.

Asked whether ineffective medicines have so far been used as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed for spraying effective medicines to kill mosquitoes, he said medicines might not remain effective after a long time.

About the failure of the two city corporation mayors to contain Aedes mosquito, the ruling party leader said they are now working. "Our Prime Minister is constantly talking to the city corporation mayors and the health minister."

Replying to a query that the administration remains inactive about any matter unless the Prime Minister's intervention, he said, "The Prime Minister talks about emergency issues and this time she did it again. This is natural. Her words encourage everyone."

About the death of a teenage boy in an ambulance on a ferry 'as its departure was delayed by three hours for an additional secretary', Quader said no wrongdoer will be spared, no matter how powerful he or she is.