Zakir Azad, Cumilla

Coconut husks lying on streets of Cumilla increasing the Dengue risks.

Dengue outbreak is going on all over the country. Every day, the pressure of patients with dengue or dengue symptoms is increasing in government hospitals and private chambers. Generally, dengue patients or currently feverish patients are advised to drink plenty of liquid food and coconut water along with medicine, by the concerned doctors.

According to this advice given by the doctors, in Cumilla , for medical purposes, along with medicine, relatives are collecting coconut water from various bazaars or sidewalks and giving it to patients. However, even though coconut water is given to patients, they are throwing coconut husks everywhere, ignoring the advice of the health department.

The concerned doctors and local conscious people believe that the risk of dengue is increasing from the water accumulated in the abandoned coconut husks. On-site visits to mobile coconut shops and various residential areas in Cumilla city have shown that due to the dengue outbreak and seasonal diseases such as fever and diarrhoea, sales of coconut shops have increased compared to other months of the year. Some are buying whole coconuts and taking them home. Some are bringing plastic bottles to avoid the hassle of cutting coconuts and taking them home. However, after selling coconuts for the whole day, coconut sellers are throwing coconut shells on the side of the road, while some are throwing them everywhere.

On the other hand, most of those who are taking coconuts home are not following the correct rules given by the Department of Health. They are throwing these coconut shells around their homes. As a result, the risk of dengue is increasing due to the water accumulated in these abandoned coconut shells lying around the side of the road and around the houses. Brahmanpara Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Abu Hasnat Md. Mohiuddin Mubin said, dengue is now spreading across the country. Along with dengue, many people are also suffering from various seasonal diseases.

In such a situation, doctors are also advising patients to drink coconut water. Coconut water contains a large amount of mineral salts. Coconut water is very beneficial for human immunity. Coconut water helps in curing many complex diseases. He said, however, due to our ignorance, the abandoned coconut shells are helping to increase the risk of dengue and pollute the environment. If the shells are cut into small pieces after extracting the water from these coconut shells, there will be no more opportunity for water to accumulate in them and the risk of dengue will also be reduced to a large extent. In addition, it is possible to prevent dengue by keeping the environment safe by not leaving objects where water can accumulate. It is important for all of us to be more aware of this from our respective positions.

A campaign is being run by the Upazila Health Complex to increase awareness about dengue prevention. In this regard, Brahmanpara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) S.M. Azharul Islam said, "The administration has come to the notice of the coconut husks being thrown everywhere. Various coconut sellers have been removed and warned about this several times. Everyone needs to be aware personally and socially." He also said, however, there is a need for widespread public awareness at the consumer level in this regard.

Otherwise, it is not possible to completely get rid of this problem. To this end, the Upazila Administration and Upazila Health Complex will jointly launch a public awareness campaign in the entire area to raise public awareness about dengue prevention.