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Statistics do not reflect the true picture of dengue: MP Dr. Moslem Uddin
Dr. Moslem Uddin Farid, Member of Parliament for Jessore-2 constituency, has commented that the official dengue statistics in Bangladesh do not reflect the full picture of the actual situation.
He said that only 13 percent of the people in the country receive treatment from government health services and 27 percent from private hospitals or recognized medical centers. The remaining 60 percent of the people receive treatment from unregistered and unregulated health care providers. As a result, information about this large population rarely appears in government statistics. Therefore, the official count of dengue cases and deaths is the 'tip of the iceberg'.
He made these remarks at a dengue fever awareness scientific seminar organized by the National Doctors Forum at the Abdus Salam Hall of the National Press Club on Monday (July 20).
Dr. Moslem Uddin said, according to official figures, about 500 people die of dengue every year and more than 100,000 people are infected. However, the actual number is higher. At the same time, dengue victims suffer from complications such as long-term physical weakness, reduced performance, and disruption to students' studies. Taking these factors into account, dengue can cause an economic loss of more than 5,000 crore taka to the country annually.
He said that more importance should be given to prevention than treatment in combating dengue. There is still a misconception among many that dengue can be prevented by using mosquito nets. However, Aedes mosquitoes bite during the day. Therefore, in addition to ensuring protection from mosquito bites during the day, emphasis should be placed on removing water accumulated in various places including flower pots, buildings under construction, and roadside ditches.
The MP said that dengue cannot be controlled by spraying pesticides only occasionally. Effective measures must be taken to destroy the larvae of Aedes mosquitoes. Because the larvae can survive in a dry state for a long time and quickly turn into mosquitoes again if they find a suitable environment. Therefore, the life cycle of mosquitoes must be broken to control dengue.
He said, "Since dengue is a viral disease, not all patients need to be hospitalized. However, health education among the public, destruction of water bodies and larvae, and awareness among healthcare providers, especially unregistered health workers, should be brought under the ambit of this. If coordinated initiatives are taken on these three issues, it will be possible to significantly reduce dengue deaths, the number of infected people, and economic losses."
National Doctors Forum (NDF) President Professor Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, General Secretary Professor Dr. Mahmud Hossain, Dhaka Medical College Associate Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir-ul-Alam (Sohel) and others also spoke at the seminar.
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Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
