Form special wards, medical boards for dengue, chikungunya patients: DGHS

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) today issued 12 directives, including the formation of a special medical board at all government hospitals to treat dengue and chikungunya patients.

Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan, Director (Hospital) of DGHS, told The Daily Star that all government hospitals have been instructed to prioritise dengue patients requiring ICU facilities.

The directives come as the country has recently seen a rise in dengue cases and deaths. According to the guidelines, dengue patients must undergo NS1 tests on an urgent basis, and hospital authorities must coordinate with the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) and the Communicable Disease Control (CDC).

Hospitals must ensure round-the-clock availability of diagnostic tests, essential medicines, and other treatment supplies needed for dengue management. All admitted dengue patients should be kept in designated wards, rooms, or areas.

For the treatment of dengue and chikungunya patients, a medical board must be formed, including medicine specialists, paediatricians, and other relevant experts. Under the supervision of this board, a dedicated team of medical officers, residents, and trainee doctors will provide exclusive care to these patients.

Suspected dengue and chikungunya patients attending outpatient departments must be treated in designated rooms by the medical board and assigned doctors. ICU care must be prioritised for patients requiring it, if facilities are available.

A nurse will be assigned to manage and transmit all relevant patient information. In the event of a dengue patient's death, the hospital director or superintendent and the Director (Hospital and CDC) of DGHS must be notified in writing within six hours, with detailed information verified and sent within 24 hours.

Hospital superintendents are also required to notify city corporation or municipal authorities to conduct mosquito control and cleanliness drives around hospital premises.

The directives further state that every Saturday morning, a dengue coordination meeting must be held under the leadership of the hospital director, superintendent, or civil surgeon. Other district hospitals may adopt these measures as necessary.