PM Makes Surprise Visits to Dhaka Hospitals and Educational Institutions

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged citizens to work collectively to prevent dengue instead of relying solely on government initiatives, calling on students and young people to take responsibility for keeping their homes, educational institutions and surrounding areas clean.

He made the call on Saturday (October 17) while visiting a dengue prevention and cleanliness campaign at Rajuk Uttara Model College in the capital, where he spoke to members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) and Scouts.

The prime minister conducted surprise visits to several hospitals, educational institutions and government buildings in Dhaka to assess the dengue situation, healthcare services and cleanliness activities.

Earlier in the day, he visited Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, where he spoke to patients receiving treatment and enquired about the care they were receiving.

He toured several departments, including the intensive care unit (ICU) and operating theatres. Expressing dissatisfaction with the hospital's overall management and cleanliness, he gave the authorities seven days to improve the environment and sanitation facilities.

Tarique Rahman then visited Rajuk Uttara Model College, where he spoke to teachers, students, BNCC members and Scouts. He enquired about cleanliness initiatives at the institution and discussed the role students could play in preventing dengue.

The prime minister said dengue infections tend to increase at this time of year, particularly through November. Every year, many people contract the disease, and some die from it, he said, stressing that prevention was the most effective way to combat dengue.

“The best way to fight dengue is through prevention. To do that, we must keep our surroundings clean. I want your help in this effort,” he told the students.

He said the country's large youth population could make a significant difference in dengue prevention and environmental protection if young people took responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.

PM calls for greater public responsibility for Dhaka's cleanliness

Describing Dhaka as a vast city with a population of more than 20 million to 25 million, Tarique Rahman said city corporation cleaners worked regularly but faced limitations in their capacity.

The city could not be kept clean by relying solely on the city corporations or the administration, he said, adding that citizens also needed to take responsibility.

“Whether you are members of the Scouts, Girl Guides or the Red Crescent, or none of these, you are all citizens of this country. You are the future of the country. So you must also take responsibility for keeping your homes, schools, neighbourhoods and surroundings clean,” he told the students.

The prime minister emphasised the need to raise public awareness to discourage people from dumping rubbish indiscriminately. He said people should be made aware of the consequences when they dispose of waste outside designated areas.

Dhaka could be kept clean if everyone worked together, he added.

Tarique Rahman said an initiative had been taken to install dustbins at various locations across the city. However, he regretted that many of the bins were being stolen.

He also said saplings planted at different locations by Dhaka North and South city corporations were being stolen. He called on citizens to become more aware and responsible to prevent such incidents.

PM urges students to plant trees on birthdays

The prime minister advised students to plant at least one tree every year on their own birthdays and those of their family members as a way to protect the environment.

“Try to plant a tree on your birthday, your siblings' birthdays or your grandparents' birthdays. It could be at your home, at school or at your village home. As the trees grow, you will grow too,” he said.

He also spoke about rising temperatures in the capital and the lack of greenery. Recalling his childhood, Tarique Rahman said Dhaka once had more trees and open spaces, many of which had since been replaced by multistorey buildings.

The decline in greenery had contributed to the city feeling hotter, he said.

“The more trees we have, the more freely we will be able to breathe. I really like the gentle rustling of leaves. If we all plant trees together, we can also bring down the city's temperature to some extent,” he said.

During his interaction with students, the prime minister stressed that young people needed to participate actively in three areas: dengue prevention, cleanliness and urban greening.

He said public awareness and collective action, alongside government initiatives, were essential to building a clean and liveable city.

Tarique Rahman asked the students whether he could count on their cooperation in keeping their schools, homes, neighbourhoods and surrounding areas clean. The students responded positively.