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In a decisive move to curb the escalating threat of dengue and chikungunya, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Administrator Md Abdus Salam has designated the first Saturday of each month as 'cleaning day' across the metropolis. This proactive measure underscores the administration's commitment to tackling the Aedes mosquito menace head-on and fostering a cleaner urban environment. The inaugural official cleaning day is slated for May 9, signaling the commencement of a sustained, city-wide effort.

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The first Saturday of every month as “cleaning day” to prevent Aedes mosquito-borne dengue and chikungunya and keep the city clean.

The initiative mandates a comprehensive approach, requiring all government offices, residential quarters, educational institutions, and private properties within DSCC areas to actively participate in cleaning drives. The primary objective is the systematic identification and destruction of mosquito breeding sites, a critical step in disrupting the life cycle of the disease-carrying vectors. Administrator Salam emphasized that a coordinated effort from all agencies could potentially resolve 70-80 percent of the problem, highlighting the importance of collective responsibility.

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All government offices, residential quarters, educational institutions, areas under Rajuk and Rehab, and privately owned premises will carry out their own cleaning drives and destroy mosquito breeding sites.

This declaration comes at a critical juncture, with the city grappling with a significant number of dengue cases and fatalities this year. As of yesterday, at least four deaths and 2,535 hospitalizations have been reported. To enhance the effectiveness of the cleaning drives, DSCC officials have been instructed to meticulously map high-risk zones across the city's 10 zones and 75 wards. Collaboration with key national agencies, including the Directorate General of Health Services and the National Malaria Elimination and Aedes-borne Disease Control Programme, is crucial. Experts suggest that while current insecticides remain effective, the introduction of advanced larvicides like BTI could further improve control measures and community engagement, making this 'cleaning day' initiative a vital component of our public health strategy.

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Up to 70–80 percent of the problem could be solved if all agencies performed their duties properly.