B'desh minister takes inputs from KMC to combat vector-borne disease

Kolkata: Bangladesh Local Government and Rural Development minister Md. Tajul Islam met Mayor Firhad Hakim on Saturday to discuss the measures that can be adopted to prevent the spreading of vector-borne diseases in Bangladesh. The exchange of ideas assume significance as Bangladesh is grappling with a record-breaking spike in dengue fever cases this year.

"Kolkata and Dhaka are two neighbouring places and the weather conditions in both places are more or less similar. They came here to have an idea of how we are working in the prevention of dengue. They had some specific queries and we have tried to address their questions. We are hopeful that these interactions will augur well for both Kolkata and Dhaka and both of us will be able to combat dengue successfully," Hakim, who is also the state Municipal Affairs minister, said after the meeting.

It may be mentioned that Bangladesh is seeing the highest number of dengue cases since 2000, when the country first started to keep records of the disease.

Till July 15,369 cases of dengue had been reported so far in 2019.

"We always share a cordial relationship with Kolkata and India. We have found that the city is doing well in combatting the vector-borne disease. So we wanted to know about the various steps taken by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation in this regard," Islam said.

Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh, who also holds the charge of KMC's Health department, was also present in the meeting.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while addressing a meeting titled 'Save Green, Stay Clean' on August 1 had said that dengue had become a menace in Bangladesh.

She added that people from the neighbouring country are crossing borders and coming to the state.

She urged the municipalities, particularly those located in the borders, to intensify drive against mosquito-borne diseases.