Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain. File photo

SANGSAD BHABAN, July 15, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister 
Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain today said the government has taken the highest 
level of preparedness to combat dengue, ensuring adequate stocks of 
diagnostic kits, saline, medicines, ICU facilities, doctors and nurses at 
government hospitals across the country.

He also said private hospitals have been instructed to ensure proper 
treatment for dengue patients.

The Minister made the remarks in a statement while responding to a call 
attention notice on matters of urgent public importance raised under Rule 71 
by opposition (Jamaat-e-Islami) lawmaker Md. Nurul Islam from 
Chapainawabganj-3 in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS).

The JS setting presided over by Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal. 

He said from the beginning of 2026 to July 9, a total of 6,175 dengue cases 
and 22 deaths were recorded across the country. "During the corresponding 
period in 2025, the country reported 15,210 infections and 58 deaths," the 
minister added.

From January to June this year, some 8,978 people were infected with dengue 
and 28 died, noting that both infections and fatalities have declined by more 
than half compared with the previous year, Sakhawat said, adding, "Still, 
there is no room for complacency."

The minister said weekly cleanliness drives have been conducted across the 
country every Saturday for the last two months under the coordination of 
Civil Surgeons, Divisional Directors, Deputy Commissioners, Upazila Nirbahi 
Officers and Upazila Health Officials.

"Regular mosquito control operations and larvicide spraying are also being 
carried out by Dhaka North and South City Corporations as well as other city 
corporations and municipalities, which have helped reduce the spread of 
dengue," he added.

He said controlling the spread of Aedes mosquitoes remains challenging in the 
densely populated country, particularly during the rainy season when stagnant 
water accumulates at various locations. In many cases, authorities also face 
difficulties due to a lack of cooperation during household inspections.

"Despite these challenges, the government has continued cleanliness 
campaigns, mosquito control operations and larvicide application," he said.

The minister said that the NS1 dengue test is being provided free of charge 
at government hospitals while the fee for IgG and IgM tests has been reduced 
from Taka 300 to Taka 50.
 
He said the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD) currently has 106,600 rapid 
diagnostic test (RDT) kits in stock while nearly 500,000 more kits will be 
added within the next month.

He also said an additional 100,000 saline bags have been stocked and adequate 
supplies have already been distributed to upazila-level hospitals.

"No patient's treatment will be disrupted due to shortages of test kits or 
saline," he continued.

The minister said mobile hospitals would be deployed if the number of dengue 
patients rises significantly. The Bangladesh Army has also been kept ready 
for emergency support.

He said ICU facilities, ventilators, medicines, doctors and nurses have been 
kept on standby to ensure that no patient dies for lack of treatment.

The minister said nationwide awareness campaigns are being conducted through 
leaflet distribution and public messaging, encouraging people to use mosquito 
nets, wear full-sleeved clothing and take preventive measures against 
mosquito bites.

In a supplementary question, lawmaker Md. Nurul Islam said many hospitals, 
including those in Chapainawabganj, are facing shortages of doctors and 
healthcare workers, and urged the government to fill the vacant posts quickly 
for effective implementation of its dengue response measures.

He also wanted to know whether private hospitals would be directed to provide 
services comparable to government hospitals if the dengue situation 
deteriorates.

In reply, the health minister said doctors and nurses are being regularly 
recruited and posted at the upazila level despite manpower constraints.
He clarified that the government has never announced plans to establish ICU 
facilities at the union level.

He said 10-bed ICU units have already been launched in 12 districts, while 
five more districts will have such facilities within the next 15 days. 
Patients will be referred to larger hospitals whenever necessary.

The minister further said a meeting was held with the owners of private 
medical colleges and hospitals around one and a half months ago, where they 
were instructed to reserve at least 10 percent of their beds for dengue 
patients.

"They were also directed to charge the same dengue testing fees as government 
hospitals, and the hospital owners agreed to comply," he added.

The health minister said government and private hospitals would work in 
coordination to provide treatment to dengue patients.