The government has undertaken comprehensive preparations to combat dengue, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said on Monday.
He made the remarks at a meeting on dengue preparedness held at the ministry's conference room. The meeting, chaired by the minister, brought together key stakeholders involved in dengue prevention and treatment.
Among those present were State Minister for Health Dr MA Muhith, Additional Secretary ATM Saiful Islam, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Prabhat Chandra Biswas, Additional Director General Prof Dr Zahid Raihan, Director (Disease Control) Dr Halimur Rashid, Director (Hospitals) Dr AHM Moinul Ahsan, and leaders of the Society of Medicine.
Addressing the meeting, the minister said: “As dengue cases are already being detected and this is the season when the disease typically spreads, we do not want to waste any time. Extensive preparations are being taken to tackle dengue.”
He said dedicated dengue corners are being established at upazila health complexes across the country. A field hospital has also been kept ready on the premises of Dhaka Medical College Hospital to provide treatment to dengue patients. Similar field hospitals may be set up in other parts of the country if necessary.
The minister further noted that the Society of Medicine will provide detailed training, including treatment protocols and clinical management plans. He added that organizations such as Unicef are also supporting the initiative and that implementation of the program will begin on Tuesday.
According to the minister, physicians and nurses will receive specialized dengue management training in all seven divisions outside Dhaka as well as at district-level facilities nationwide.
He said the government already has stocks of essential supplies, including reagents, testing kits, and intravenous saline fluids. A decision has also been taken to procure additional supplies to meet anticipated demand.
Responding to a question about measures to address the source of dengue transmission, the minister said, “We began working with the city corporations on this issue two months ago. Another coordination meeting with the city corporations and other relevant stakeholders will be held tomorrow.”
The meeting also discussed the launch of a dengue-related mobile application and emphasized the need to expand research on dengue prevention, surveillance, and treatment.