A Critical Analysis of the Bangladesh National Dengue Prevention and Control Strategy (2024-2030): A Comprehensive Roadmap in an Era of Climate Change

Abstract

Dengue fever has emerged as a persistent and escalating public health challenge in Bangladesh, characterised by increasingly severe outbreaks in recent years that have overwhelmed healthcare infrastructure and led to significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. In response, the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh has developed the "National Dengue Prevention and Control Strategy (2024–2030)." This manuscript offers a critical evaluation of the strategy from a public health and epidemiological perspective. Grounded in a thorough situational analysis, the strategy identifies major contributing factors, including climate change, accelerated urbanisation, and evolving viral serotypes. It delineates seven primary strategic objectives: (1) strengthening governance and inter-sectoral coordination; (2) enhancing the capacity of the healthcare workforce; (3) institutionalizing integrated vector management practices; (4) improving real-time disease surveillance; (5) advancing risk communication and community mobilization; (6) fostering research initiatives; and (7) ensuring equitable access to vaccines. The strategy’s principal strengths lie in its comprehensive, multi-sectoral “One Health” framework, its strong empirical foundation, and its anticipatory focus on climate adaptation and vaccine integration. Nevertheless, effective implementation faces considerable barriers, including the need for sustained financial investment, the complexity of inter-ministerial coordination, the growing threat of insecticide resistance, and the persistent fragility of the national health system. This analysis concludes that, although the strategy represents a scientifically rigorous and forward-thinking blueprint, its success will ultimately depend on sustained political commitment, dedicated resource allocation, and the effective operationalisation of its implementation roadmap.