In recent times, this grim count has climbed steadily, averaging nearly 20 lives per day. For many, it's become a mere statistic, an abstract figure, but for those who have lost loved ones to this relentless disease, it's a stark reality. Dengue has grown unchecked, its vector—the Aedes mosquito—thriving, and it seems there's been a conspicuous absence of earnest attempts to curb its spread.
Amidst the rising tide of dengue cases, the tales of hardship have become all too common: a scarcity of IV saline and its exorbitant prices, a dire shortage of hospital beds, and a shortfall of vital blood supplies.
The crisis has reached a point where victims' families accept their fate as an inevitable tragedy, rather than pointing accusatory fingers. The blame game has become tiresome, as those in positions of responsibility narrate tales of their success in dengue control while laying blame at the feet of the common people.
The mayors of the Dhaka City Corporations (North and South) have repeatedly called upon citizens to be vigilant, asserting that government-administered "fogging and cleaning" alone are insufficient to stem the tide of this deadly disease.
From establishing control centers to eradicating mosquito breeding grounds, launching cleanliness drives, conducting mobile courts, orchestrating day-long campaigns against the disease, and disseminating awareness messages, it appears they've done their part.
Now, the onus rests squarely on the shoulders of ordinary citizens to decide whether to heed these warnings or face dire consequences.
On July 30, Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Fazle Noor Taposh declared their dengue control program a resounding success. Since that announcement, 685 more lives have been claimed by dengue across the country. This number could be higher, as the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) data relies on information from just 57 public and private hospitals, while approximately 16,000 such healthcare facilities, clinics, diagnostic centers, and blood banks nationwide are involved in dengue care.
Echoing Taposh's sentiments, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor Md Atiqul Islam proclaimed on August 30 that dengue was under control within his jurisdiction.
The year 2019 served as a stark reminder when Bangladesh witnessed an alarming surge in dengue cases, registering the highest numbers worldwide. However, instead of concerted efforts to combat the crisis, authorities continued to emphasize their success stories, with little tangible progress.
The prevailing narrative in Bangladesh's battle against the Aedes mosquito is characterized by a glaring lack of planning, coordination, and accountability among government entities. The outcome? Dengue deaths have shattered all previous records.
The pressing question now looms: How many more lives must be lost before authorities acknowledge their shortcomings? Or will the government finally declare this a health emergency, mobilizing comprehensive measures to confront this relentless scourge?
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