State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah Alam informed this at a press conference after an emergency consultation meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday.

He said, 'From September 12 to December 12, cleanliness campaigns will be conducted every Saturday in 64 districts and 503 upazilas, including unions, municipalities and metropolitan areas. Along with identifying and cleaning potential breeding grounds of Aedes mosquito larvae, general dirt and garbage will also be removed.'

Noting that Aedes mosquito breeding may increase from September to November, the state minister said, 'There is also a risk of dengue outbreak increasing during this period. Therefore, in addition to treating patients, special importance is being given to destroying mosquito breeding grounds and cleanliness activities.'

Colleges, high schools and madrasas across the country have been brought under the programme. Teachers and students will clean drains, canals, ponds, playfields and other potential breeding grounds every Saturday in coordination with the local administration.

The state minister said five beds have been kept ready in district-level hospitals for treating dengue patients. The number of beds will be increased as needed.

Scouts, Bangladesh National Cadet Corps, Red Crescent, various volunteer organisations, students and city corporation cleaners will take part in the inaugural programme. Meanwhile, officials at district and upazila levels will join online and conduct the programme locally.