Medical students take a great initiative

People of city dwellers are now suffering a disease named Chikungunya. It is a mosquito-borne viral disease. However, the disease is not fatal but the victims suffer a lot. Aedes aegypti mosquito species, whose females carry the virus of Chikungunya. The virus is transmitted from human to human by the bites of infected female mosquitoes.

The Chikungunya has created panic among the city dwellers. Media reports said that people from across the capital are being affected by the disease. Even, in some cases, all the family members diagnosed with Chikungunya. The disease is intolerable for old and children.

Immediate step is must so that the mosquito-borne disease could not spread. Side-by- side, the breeding ground of the mosquito should be destroyed. Institutional and combined initiatives can play an important role here. About 10,000 students of private and public medical colleges and nursing institutes have started their work in this regard. 

Usually, female Aedes aegypti mosquito lay eggs on the inner walls of artificial containers. When the containers fill with water, mosquito larvae hatch from the eggs. On June 17, the students started their drive to destroy mosquito breeding points in several spots in Dhaka. The students did the tasks in 92 wards dividing into small groups.  They removed used green coconuts, plastic and clay pots, old tiers, tubes, drum, can, bottle etc. These students convinced people about the factors of Chikungunya disease. Even, the medical students provided treatment to the Chikungunya patients.

Such initiatives of the students demand praise. Similar public awareness steps are rarely seen in our society now. Earlier, we saw students stayed beside flood affected people. They collected money, warm clothes, medicine and rushed to the affected areas to distribute those. But, now such initiatives are rarely seen. The new steps taken by the medical students raise a new hope.

Officials of health ministry, city corporation, teachers of medical colleges even the Health Minister joined the exceptional activities of medical students. We welcome their initiatives.

The health department conducted a survey in 57 areas on June 1. Aedes mosquitos have been found in 47 areas, according to the survey report. About 52 percent mosquito breeding grounds contain Chikungunya virus. So, there is no scope to stay safe from the disease. That’s why a joint initiative is must to prevent the crisis.

Citizen awareness is important in this case. Health Ministry, City Corporation and medical students started their task. We will hope that the steps would continue in future.  If we clean our surrounded areas by ourselves, then Chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases will vanish from our living areas. 


risingbd/Dhaka/Jun 20, 2017/Ali Nowsher/Nasim