Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan on Saturday stressed the need for active public participation to prevent dengue, saying the initiative aims to ensure the safety of children from the mosquito-borne disease.

He made the remarks while inaugurating a special awareness campaign titled “Operation Clean Homes, Healthy Lives” at Dhaka Cantonment Board Adarsha Vidyaniketan in the capital.

Highlighting the importance of collective efforts, the DNCC administrator said that although cleaners and mosquito control workers will perform their duties, the programme cannot succeed without the active cooperation of city residents.

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He also said that larger-scale mosquito control activities will be carried out in the coming days. Residents have been urged to inform authorities about any problems related to roads or waterlogging in their areas for prompt action.

The special campaign will continue until May 21. A total of 20 mosquito control workers—10 from DNCC and 10 from BRAC—will take part in the programme daily.

After the inauguration, the administrator distributed awareness leaflets in nearby houses and called on local people to cooperate with the city corporation in dengue prevention efforts.

Speaking at the programme, Prime Minister’s Private Secretary-2 Abdur Rahman Sani said mosquito control is not the goverment's responsibility alone and urged all citizens to remain aware and responsible, noting that collective awareness is key to solving the problem.

DNCC Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Asaduzzaman said a total of 21 special mosquito control and cleanliness drives will be conducted, one every Saturday.

He emphasised that the fight against dengue must begin at home, adding that the desired success cannot be achieved without public engagement.

The function was chaired by DNCC Chief Health Officer Brig Gen Imrul Kayes Chowdhury.

Participants at the event also called on everyone to keep their homes and surrounding environment clean to prevent dengue.