Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) is taking initiative to research and develop dengue vaccine. The Vice-Chancellor Professor Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed informed that the Virology Department of the University has been asked to start work quickly in this regard.
On Saturday (August 5), the Vice-Chancellor conveyed this information in an exchange meeting with the media on the theme of anti-dengue social movement in the auditorium of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
Meanwhile, a Dengue Prevention Committee 2023 was formed with the BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed as Chairman and Resident Physician (RP) Assistant Professor Taufiq Ahmed as Member Secretary.
In this committee, Deputy Speaker of Jatiya Sangsad Shamsul Haque Tuku was nominated as Chief Advisor, State Minister for Public Administration Prof. Farhad Hossain as special advisor and Director General of Directorate of Health Prof. ABM Khurshid Alam as advisor.
Vice-Chancellor Sharfuddin Ahmed said that this is the case today because we do not deal with dengue throughout the year in our country. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University is the best place to do any research work in health care. Here we will research on dengue. Doctors of BSMMU will also work shoulder to shoulder with Dengue Prevention Committee.
He said that the initiative to develop a social movement is good. That’s why we all have to go on the streets to make people aware. Everyone should be informed that now the pattern of dengue has changed. Earlier mosquitoes used to bite during the day, now they bite for 24 hours. Earlier, mosquito larvae were found in clean water, now they are also found in dirty water.
Urging everyone to be more aware, the vice-chancellor said that water cannot be allowed to accumulate anywhere in the house, on the roof, in flower tubs. Commodes should be covered after use. Dhaka North City Corporation will apply BTI to destroy Aedes mosquito larvae from tomorrow. It is working very well in Singapore, hope it will work here as well.
In case of fever, the vice-chancellor advised to take NS1 test quickly instead of sitting at home. He said, no medicine can be taken without doctor’s advice. Drink plenty of fluids. Students should wear full pants, full sleeve shirts and shoes and socks to school.
Ali Niamat has been made the president of this committee. Valiant freedom fighter Rubina Khan, senior vice-president of CAT former Vice-chancellor Rashid Askari, president of UEE Nasima Akhter Nisha have been made vice-presidents. Besides, the fearless freedom fighter Kamruzzaman Zia has been made an executive member.
Khan Asaduzzaman, Awami League sub-committee member and secretary general Aslam Sihir, World Cancer Society Bangladesh President Syed Humayun Kabir, Awami League sub-committee member Abu Bakar Siddiqui, Awami League sub-committee member Yuvraj Khan, CAT Vice President Abdul Halim. Mridha, Rokan Uddin Pathan, Human Aid International Secretary General Sehli Parveen, WI Director Rakiba Ahmed, WI members Samira Sultana and Mukta Mia have been inducted.