Staff Reporter:
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued 12 new urgent instructions to govern-ment hospitals across the country to ensure more efficient treatment for dengue patients.
The instructions were sent yesterday to directors of all medical colleges and specialized hospitals, super-intendents of district headquarters hospitals, civil surgeons, and upazila health and family welfare offic-ers.
The instructions were given in a circular signed by the Director (Hospitals and Clinics) of DGHS, Dr. Abu Hossain Md. Moinul Ahsan.
According to the directives, all government hospitals must immediately create special wards and form specific treatment teams for dengue patients. The Department of Health believes this system will im-prove patient care, reduce risks, and enhance the quality of treatment in hospitals.
The directives are:
1. Dengue patients should be tested for NS1 on an urgent basis. CMSD or CDC should be contacted for NS1/antigen kits.
2. Arrangements should be made to conduct all necessary tests and examinations in the hospital at all times for admitted patients.
3. The availability of necessary medicines and other materials for dengue treatment in the hospital should be ensured.
4. Admitted patients should be kept in specific wards or rooms in the hospital.
5. A board comprising specialists in medicine, pediatrics, and other necessary fields should be formed to treat admitted dengue and chikungunya patients. A team of medical officers, residents, and trainee doc-tors should be formed under the supervision of the board, dedicated solely to treating these patients.
6. Outpatients suspected of being infected with dengue or chikungunya should be treated in a designated room by a specialist board and doctors.
7. If ICU care is required, dengue patients should be given priority if the facility is available in the re-spective hospital.
8. A nurse should be assigned the responsibility of storing and sending patient information.
9. If a dengue patient dies, brief information should be reported to the hospital director/supervisor and the DGHS Director (Hospitals and CDC) within six hours. A detailed report should be sent within 24 hours.
10. The hospital superintendent should write a letter to the city corporation or municipal mayor to keep the hospital area clean and carry out mosquito control activities.
11. Dengue coordination meetings should be held every Saturday morning under the chairmanship of the hospital director, superintendent, or civil surgeon.
12. Other district hospitals may implement these instructions if necessary.
