Failure to control mosquitoes, dengue irks HC
The High Court on Monday summoned the chief health officers of the two city corporations of Dhaka to appear before it on July 25 to explain their failure in controlling mosquitoes in the city, reports UNB.
The HC bench of Justice Tariq ul Hakim and Justice Md Shohrowardi passed the order after receiving a report on the steps taken by the two city corporations to destroy Aedes mosquitoes for preventing the spread of dengue and Chikonguniya viruses.
The High Court also expressed dissatisfaction over the joint compliance report of the two city corporations submitted before it.
Assistant Attorney General Saira Fairoz submitted the report which said medicines are being spread across the capital for killing mosquitoes in addition to taking steps to create mass awareness.
Referring to the reports, the HC in its observation said, “The court is not happy with the steps taken by the two city corporations and it clearly shows that they’ve failed to take any effective measure. Had they taken any measure then people would not have been admitted to hospitals. We don’t see anyone getting admitted to hospital with dengue virus.”
On July 16, the High Court had asked the authorities concerned to take effective measures within 24 hours to destroy Aedes mosquito for preventing the spread of dengue and Chikonguniya.
It had passed a suomoto order after taking cognisance of the reports of dengu fever and Aedes mosquito published in different newspapers.
It had also asked the two city corporations and other respondents to inform the court about the steps taken for controlling dengue and chikanguniya within July 22.
The HC issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the ineffectiveness of the respondents in controlling aedes mosquito should not be declared illegal and why action should not be taken against them for failure to take effective measures.
The mayors of Dhaka North and South city Corporations, Chief Executive officer of the two city corporations, health secretary, LGRD secretary, Director General of the Directorate of Director General of Health Services (DGHS) have been made respondent to the rule.
