DHAKA, Nov 15, 2024 (BSS) – Bangladesh has witnessed a remarkable progress in the health sector in the last 100 days due to pragmatic and effective measures taken by the interim government led by Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus. 

The interim government took oath on August 8 last following the ouster of fascist Sheikh Hasina’s regime on August 5 amid students-led mass uprising that saw martyrdom of over 1000 people including students, minor children and women and fatal injury of around 25,000.
       
After assuming office, the interim government put highest priority to prepare a complete list of martyrs and injured of the mass-uprising and ensure proper healthcare to the injured. 

As part of the efforts, the Health and Family Welfare Ministry has prepared a list of 872 martyrs and 19,931 injured across the country so far and the list is being upgraded with inclusion of martyrs and injured who were not include in the initial list.

Proper treatment is being given to the injured free of cost in 13 hospitals in the capital and various specialized hospitals and medical college hospitals across the country. 

As per the directive of the Chief Adviser’s Office, 'round-the-clock coordination cell' has been set up in hospitals across the country and medical boards consisting of specialist physicians have been formed to provide treatment to the injured at respective hospitals.

Foreign medical teams comprising specialist physicians including from China, Nepal, France and Australia are being brought to the country for ensuring treatment to critical patients, including those having eye, neurological problem and leg injury.

The teams are visiting hospitals and providing suggestions to physicians who are treating the patients. The foreign physicians expressed their satisfaction with the medical facilities for the injured.

Meanwhile, Fahim Hasan, who received pellet injury during the students-people uprising, has been sent to Thailand for better treatment. Taka 27 lakh was paid for his treatment. Besides, seven-year old boy named Md Basid Khan Musa has been sent to Singapore for better treatment while Taka 1.75 cr was paid for his treatment.

Another injured Mohammad Lutfor Rahman Kasemi, 39, has been sent to Thailand and Taka 70 lakh was paid for his treatment.

However, the number of injured patients is more than the allocated beds in hospitals of the country, especially in Dhaka. The Health Ministry is working to solve the problems in phases.

During the devastating flood in the country’s eastern region in August-September last, one medical team in each union and three medical teams in each municipality worked round the clock to ensure healthcare to flood victims. 

Along with that, the flood victims were given healthcare by different non-government organizations including BRAC medical teams, Sajeda Foundation, Red Crescent and other organizations.

Since the monsoon, the country witness a sharp rise of dengue disease  as  over 370 deaths and 76,000 cases were reported from the disease during the period, according to latest government data.

Last year, a 3,21,179 dengue cases were reported and 1,705 people died.

The interim government has taken different pragmatic steps to curb the disease as special dengue corner has been established in all medical colleges and hospitals to ensure proper treatment and supply of necessary medicines and other materials. DNCC and Mugda Medical College Hospital have been made dengue dedicated hospital.

A total of 1,01,159 dengue test kits and 26,135 mosquito nets have been distributed across the country.

Recently, additional 20 specialist doctors and 40 senior staff nurses have been posted in the dengue dedicated hospitals.

Draft of National Dengue Prevention and Control Strategy (2024-2030) has been finalized and is under process for getting approval.

A Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) platform has been developed as part of awareness activities to prevent the dengue disease. 

The government has ensured the supply of IV fluid (saline) to ensure treatment of dengue patients. Currently, there is 4,21,800 liters of IV fluid in stock.

All government hospitals of the country have designated 'focal point' persons on dengue, through whom stocks and requirements of dengue test kits, IV fluid (saline) and other logistics for treating dengue patients across the country are being collected regularly.

Pathological technicians of hospitals across the country have been imparted training to input data on Dengue App.

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) created Dengue Tracker Application through which the test results of dengue patients will be available on website immediately.

Focal persons, heads of medicine departments and hospital heads of all government hospitals across the country are trained online to prevent and control the mosquito-borne disease.