Dhaka, October 17 (V7N)- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman made surprise visits to a hospital and an educational institution in the capital on Saturday to assess cleanliness, healthcare services and dengue prevention measures, urging citizens—particularly young people—to take greater responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.

The Prime Minister left her Gulshan residence at 9:20 am to visit hospitals, educational institutions and government facilities across Dhaka.

Her first stop was Kuwait-Bangladesh Friendship Government Hospital, where she spoke with patients about their treatment and the quality of medical services. She also inspected several departments, including the intensive care unit (ICU) and operating theatre.

During the visit, Tarique Rahman expressed dissatisfaction with the hospital's overall management and cleanliness. She gave the authorities seven days to improve the hospital environment and sanitation arrangements.

She later visited RAJUK Uttara Model College, where she interacted with teachers, students, members of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) and scouts. She discussed the institution's cleanliness practices and the role students can play in preventing dengue.

The Prime Minister warned that dengue infections typically rise during this period of the year and can continue through November, resulting in illness and deaths. She said prevention and maintaining a clean environment were essential to controlling the disease.

“The best way to fight dengue is prevention. And for this, we have to keep our surroundings clean. I ask for your help in this work,” she told the students.

She said the participation of young people across the country could bring significant improvements in environmental protection and dengue prevention.

Addressing the challenges of maintaining cleanliness in Dhaka, Tarique Rahman noted that the capital has a population of more than 20 million to 25 million people. Although city corporation workers regularly collect waste and clean public spaces, their capacity is limited, she said.

She stressed that responsibility for keeping the city clean could not rest solely with municipal authorities and the administration; citizens also needed to play an active role.

“You are all citizens of this country. You are the future of the country. So you also have to take responsibility for keeping your homes, schools, neighbourhoods and surroundings clean,” she told the students, regardless of whether they belonged to the Scouts, Girl Guides or the Red Crescent.

The Prime Minister also called for greater social awareness to discourage littering in public places. She said people should be encouraged to dispose of waste in designated areas and that collective efforts could help make Dhaka cleaner.

She expressed concern over reports that dustbins installed at different locations were being stolen. She also mentioned the theft of tree saplings planted by Dhaka North and South City Corporations, urging citizens to protect public property and contribute to environmental conservation.

PM urges students to plant trees on birthdays

Tarique Rahman encouraged students to plant at least one tree every year on their own birthdays or those of family members, including siblings and grandparents. She suggested planting trees at homes, schools or in villages.

“When the trees grow, you will also grow,” she said.

Reflecting on Dhaka's changing landscape, the Prime Minister recalled that the city once had more trees and open spaces. She said the expansion of multi-storey buildings and the loss of greenery had contributed to rising temperatures.

“The more trees grow, the more we will be able to breathe,” she said, adding that planting trees collectively could help reduce the city's temperature to some extent.

She emphasised that dengue prevention, cleanliness and increasing greenery required active participation from young people alongside government initiatives.

During her interaction at the college, the Prime Minister asked students whether they would help keep their schools, homes, neighbourhoods and surrounding areas clean. The students responded positively, according to the supplied account.

The visits highlighted the government's emphasis on improving public-service facilities while encouraging citizens to take a more active role in building a cleaner, greener and more liveable capital.

END/SMA/AJ