The government has taken several steps to control the rising number of dengue cases as health authorities fear the outbreak could reach its peak by late September or early October.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to formally launch a three-month nationwide cleanliness and public awareness campaign on 12 September.

The government has been working on dengue prevention since March. Special cleanliness drives are being held every Saturday, while mobile courts are inspecting homes and institutions to find Aedes mosquito larvae.

Dengue corners have been set up at upazila-level hospitals. A field hospital has also been kept ready at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital grounds to deal with a possible increase in patients.

Around 300 doctors across the country have received special training to treat dengue patients.

The government has instructed public hospitals to provide dengue tests free of charge. Private hospitals have been asked to keep 10% of their beds for free treatment of dengue patients. Diagnostic centres have also been asked to offer an 80% discount on dengue and related tests.

The dengue treatment guideline has also been updated with support from the Bangladesh Society of Medicine.

The awareness campaign will involve volunteers from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Scouts, BNCC, Girl Guides, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, and school and college students.

Hospitals told to stay prepared

As dengue deaths and hospital admissions continue to increase, State Minister Dr M A Muhit held a virtual meeting with civil surgeons across the country and asked them to strengthen hospital preparations.

He has urged people to keep their homes and workplaces clean and called for a nationwide effort to prevent the spread of dengue.

Hospitals have been instructed to give priority to dengue patients and increase the number of dengue beds wherever possible.

They have also been asked to provide mosquito nets for dengue patients and patients in nearby wards to prevent further spread of the disease.

Hospitals were told to buy saline, medicines and dengue testing kits from their own funds if shortages occur.

DGHS Director General Professor Dr Pravath Chandra Biswas said hospitals currently have enough dengue testing kits and saline.

“We have instructed hospitals to admit dengue patients on a priority basis and increase the number of designated beds wherever possible so that there is no shortage of beds,” he told BSS.

Dhaka Civil Surgeon Dr Md Zakaria Mahmud said saline and dengue testing kits had already been supplied to hospitals and there was no shortage of essential items.

He said hospitals had been asked to remain alert so that no crisis develops.

Health authorities have also been asked to involve people from all sections of society in awareness activities. Campaigns will be carried out through mosque imams and schools under the school health programme.