Doctors' leave cancelled in 11 flood-hit districts as medical teams deployed

The government has cancelled the leave of doctors and healthcare workers in 11 flood-affected districts to ensure uninterrupted medical services, while deploying medical teams to every affected upazila and sending antivenom to treat snakebite victims.

Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Husain announced the measures at a press briefing at the Ministry of Health today (13 July) on healthcare activities in the flood-affected areas.

He said the government is giving the highest priority to maintaining healthcare services during the floods.

Necessary medicines, oral saline, antivenom and other medical supplies are being sent to affected areas.

According to the latest situation report of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), medical teams are providing treatment in every flood-affected upazila.

Special attention is being given to the healthcare of pregnant women, newborns and children, while arrangements have been made to transfer patients to hospitals if necessary.

The minister said antivenom is being supplied to the field level to treat snakebite victims. So far, 95 people have received treatment for snakebites.

He also said no cases of cholera infection have yet been reported from the flood-affected areas.

According to DGHS data, around 22,000 vials of anti-snake venom are currently available, including 1,000 at the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) and 21,000 at healthcare facilities across the country. Another 25,000 vials are expected to be supplied within the next 15 days.

To prepare for post-flood waterborne diseases, the DGHS said around 7,585,299 packets of oral rehydration saline (ORS), 399,879 bags of cholera saline and about 3,619,572 water purification tablets are available at the field level. In addition, 99,995 bags of normal saline are stored at the CMSD.

The DGHS said water purification tablets will be supplied to Rajshahi and Khulna divisions from the stock of the Department of Public Health Engineering.

The health department urged people to seek medical advice through the national health portal's 24-hour hotline at 16263 or the DGHS central control room hotline at 01759-114488.

Dengue and measles situation

The Health Ministry said it is also closely monitoring the country's infectious disease situation.

According to DGHS data, 8,323 people were infected with dengue and 25 died between 1 January and 12 July this year. During the same period last year, 55 people died from the disease.

Between 15 March and 12 July, 111,480 people were affected by measles or measles-like symptoms. Of them, 13,500 cases were confirmed through laboratory tests, while 90,605 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital.

Ad-din Hospital to be inspected again

Responding to a question from journalists about Ad-din Hospital, the health minister said the hospital authorities are implementing the recommendations of an investigation committee.

He said the hospital will be inspected again after the work is completed before any further decision is taken.

The government revoked the hospital's licence on 11 June following the deaths of six newborns in May. A case regarding the matter is currently pending before the High Court.