Ambulances on standby, extra staff in ERs: DGHS orders uninterrupted healthcare during polls

The health directorate has issued 10 emergency directives to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services nationwide during the election period, including the formation of medical teams, keeping ambulances on standby, deploying additional staff in emergency departments and operating 24-hour control rooms at health offices.

All healthcare institutions concerned must remain on high alert and maintain special preparedness from 10 February to 15 February, according to the instructions issued yesterday (25 January) by Dr Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan, director (hospital) of the Directorate General of Health Services.

The directive states that during the election period, medical teams must be formed as follows: six teams in each city corporation, four at the divisional level, three at the district level, two at the upazila level and one at the union level. 

The composition of each team will be determined by the respective institution head or health administrator based on staff availability and operational needs.

Healthcare facilities have also been instructed to appoint additional personnel in emergency departments as required. 

Ambulances must remain ready at all times, and heads of institutions are required to remain present at their workplaces. 

If an institution head is on leave, a qualified official must be assigned responsibility, and their name, designation and phone number must be communicated to the DGHS.

Special instructions have also been issued for private hospitals and clinics. They must keep emergency departments operational round the clock with doctors on duty throughout the election period. 

In cases of patient referral, these facilities must ensure proper primary treatment and appropriate counselling. 

Ambulances must remain on standby, and private facilities must coordinate with government health authorities to provide logistical, ambulance and manpower support during emergencies.

The directive further states that in the event of any emergency, healthcare services must be provided in accordance with instructions from local government health authorities.

Additionally, all healthcare institutions, divisional health offices, civil surgeon offices, and upazila health and family planning offices must not remain closed for more than 72 consecutive hours. 

Emergency units, inpatient wards, laboratories, cath labs, dialysis centres, CT scan facilities and MRI centres must remain operational as usual.

Divisional health offices and civil surgeon offices have also been instructed to operate 24-hour control rooms throughout the election period.