In response to the worsening dengue situation across the country, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has instructed all public hospitals to set up dedicated wards and specialised medical teams for the treatment of dengue patients.
The directive was issued on Tuesday through an emergency circular signed by Dr Abu Hossain Md Moinul Ahsan, director (Hospitals and Clinics) at DGHS.
To ensure timely and effective care, the circular emphasises the urgent establishment of separate wards and designated medical teams at each government hospital. Hospitals have also been instructed to ensure availability of NS1 antigen tests, adequate medication, and emergency services for dengue patients.
In addition, the directive calls for the formation of a medical board comprising specialists from various departments, including internal medicine and pediatrics. Under the supervision of this board, assigned medical officers and trained doctors will exclusively handle dengue and chikungunya cases. Suspected cases must be assessed and treated in specially designated outpatient rooms.
Hospitals have also been asked to formally request assistance from the relevant city corporations or municipalities to carry out regular cleaning and mosquito control in hospital premises.
Furthermore, the circular mandates weekly coordination meetings—every Saturday at 10am, to be led by hospital directors and civil surgeons to monitor and streamline the response efforts.
Public health experts have welcomed the move, stating that it will help organise patient care more efficiently and improve the overall quality of treatment. They believe the initiative will also play a key role in reducing complications and fatalities caused by dengue.
So far this year, dengue has claimed 155 lives, with the total number of reported cases climbing to 38,527, according to DGHS data. As of now, 746 patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across Dhaka, while 1,844 are hospitalized nationwide.
Last year, Bangladesh recorded 575 dengue-related deaths. DGHS figures show that 101,214 cases were reported in 2024, with 100,040 recoveries.
According to DGHS data, the number of dengue patients continues to rise across the capital and other districts during the current monsoon season. Health experts have warned that without immediate and coordinated action the situation could deteriorate further.
