BB directs banks to launch three-month dengue prevention drive

The Bangladesh Bank has directed all scheduled banks to launch a special three-month dengue prevention programme, including cleanliness drives every Saturday to eliminate Aedes mosquito breeding grounds across their premises.
In a circular issued on Sunday, the central bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department-1 instructed banks to implement the programme at their head offices, branches, sub-branches, agent outlets, training centres, ATM booths and all other establishments.
The directive, sent to managing directors and chief executive officers of all scheduled banks operating in the country, comes amid a rise in dengue cases in Dhaka and elsewhere across the country.
The circular noted that a significant number of dengue patients were being admitted to hospitals every day. Improper waste disposal, seasonal rainfall, stagnant water and global climate change were contributing to the expansion of Aedes mosquito breeding grounds.
It stressed the need to destroy mosquito breeding sites and raise public awareness to prevent the spread of dengue.

Under the directive, banks must ensure regular cleaning of their premises and surrounding areas. Discarded flowerpots, unused containers, old tyres and plastic bottles that could serve as breeding grounds for Aedes mosquitoes must be removed or destroyed.
Banks have also been instructed to keep rooftops, garages, air-conditioning units, refrigerators, water tanks and kitchens clean on a regular basis.
The cleanliness drive must cover residential facilities built for bank officials and employees, in addition to office buildings.
Banks have further been asked to take necessary measures to control mosquitoes in and around their workplaces through the regular use of insecticides, sprays or mosquito coils.
The circular also called on banks to extend necessary support to cleanliness initiatives undertaken by relevant local authorities, including municipalities and city corporations, to maintain cleanliness in rural, urban and metropolitan areas.
Bangladesh Bank issued the directive under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991.