Health directorate sends saline packets to meet hospital needs

The Health Directorate has addressed the urgent need for intravenous (IV) saline in dengue treatment by dispatching saline packets to various hospitals across the country.

"Even though IV saline is most needed in dengue treatment, there was a temporary shortage of this crucial medical supply. Therefore, we decided to import 3,00,000 saline packets from India, and we have already received 44,000 of these packets. Through Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), these saline packets have been sent to different hospitals based on their demand," said Md Habibul Ahsan Talukder, director (Hospital and Clinic) at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), during a virtual press conference on Sunday.

Habibul Ahsan said, "We have dispatched these supplies to multiple medical facilities, including Barishal Medical College, Patuakhali Medical College Hospital, Rajbari General Hospital, Faridpur General Hospital, Kurmitola General Hospital, Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, and Chattogram General Hospital. Besides, we are receiving additional saline shipments every day and we distributing those according to demand."

"Dengue treatment is being conducted by following the same protocol and guidelines in all districts, upazila hospitals, and private hospitals across the country. Our health directorate has provided comprehensive training to all field-level physicians in dengue treatment and patient management," he shared.

He also mentioned that adequate stocks of NS1 kits are readily available for dengue testing.

The death toll from dengue infection rose to 909 this year in the country with 16 more casualties reported in the last 24 hours till Sunday morning.

Besides, 3,008 new dengue patients were hospitalised during the same period, according to DGHS data.

Of the new cases, 812 were reported in Dhaka city and 2,196 were from various parts of the country.

In addition, 1,87,725 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals this year.

So far 1,76,346 dengue patients have been released from hospitals in the country this year.

A total of 10,470 dengue patients, including 3,794 in Dhaka, are now receiving treatment at hospitals across the country, shows the DGHS data.

Dhaka and Chattogram divisions have the highest number of dengue cases.

Previously, the country recorded 281 dengue deaths in 2022 and 179 deaths in 2019.

Additionally, the DGHS recorded 62,423 dengue cases and 61,971 recoveries last year.