The two city corporations of Dhaka have been making efforts for mosquito control, but these programs have been going on for years without necessary research or comprehensive action plans.
The position of an entomologist in the organization chart of both city corporations, essential for researching mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, has remained vacant for an extended period.
Experts say conventional mosquito eradication methods yield inadequate results over time. Furthermore, mosquito-borne diseases like dengue have turned into annual epidemics due to the implementation of mosquito control programs lacking proper research.
The Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), which encompasses an area of 109 square kilometres, employs 1,050 mosquito exterminators and supervisors for mosquito control. In the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), with an area of 196 square kilometres, there are 13 MBBS doctors and 800 mosquito exterminators. They operate based on experience and health directorate surveys.
Both city corporations conduct mobile courts through a total of 24 magistrates. Although additional magistrates have been appointed, there have been no steps taken to employ entomologists or establish dedicated laboratories.
However, this year the DNCC appointed an entomologist as an advisor to the mayor.
Additionally, a memorandum of understanding was signed with Jahangirnagar University on July 23 for research purposes. Under this agreement, the effectiveness of insecticides against various mosquito species will be assessed in labs until June 2026.
Experts emphasized that mosquitoes are intricate insects requiring research and technical knowledge for effective control. Entomologists possess the necessary expertise in this field, and medical doctors or other professionals may not be suitable for this task.
DSCC acting chief health officer Dr Fazle Shamsul Kabir stated: "We have a technical and expert team of 11 individuals. I disagree with the notion that 20-30 entomologists are required for mosquito control."
"We have two vacant entomologist positions due to staff leaving for BCS employment."
When asked about the feasibility of mosquito eradication without research, he responded: "We operate according to the health directorate’s guidelines."
DNCC Chief Health Officer Brigadier General AKM Shafiqur Rahman said: "We primarily need medical entomologists. We plan to have a total of 11 entomologist positions, with 10 in our zones and one at the centre in the proposed organizational amendment."
He noted that they still seek advice from external entomology experts. He acknowledged the value of having a dedicated public health entomologist.
Meanwhile, experts stressed that merely investing significant funds in pesticides is insufficient. Technical knowledge, understanding of the Aedes mosquito's life cycle, and the presence of entomological expertise, research and laboratories are imperative for successful implementation.
Prof Kabirul Bashar from the zoology department at Jahangirnagar University stated: "Entomologists are crucial for mosquito control. Eradication efforts should be led by entomologists. However, these positions have remained vacant in city corporations for an extended period."
Prof Shefali Begum, chairperson of the zoology department at Dhaka University, said: "Monthly surveys could provide insights into mosquito density, enabling immediate control measures. However, our health directorate conducts only three surveys annually.
"As a result, the city corporations lack an accurate understanding of the situation. Having in-house entomologists could offer valuable data for informed actions."
