DGHS orders hospitals to expand beds, bars refusal of measles patients amid surge

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has directed all government hospitals to increase bed capacity and strictly refrain from turning away patients with measles or related symptoms, as infections continue to rise across the country.

The directive was issued in an emergency order signed by Dr. Abu Hossain Md Moinul Ahsan, director of the DGHS Hospital and Clinic Division, and communicated to the media on Thursday (April 23).

The order makes it clear that no patient can be denied admission due to bed shortages or any other excuse. Hospitals have been instructed to arrange additional beds immediately to cope with the growing patient load.

It also states that patients must not be referred to other facilities without ensuring proper treatment or initial stabilisation. Transfers will only be allowed in cases requiring advanced or specialised care, and must follow the established referral chain among upazila health complexes, district hospitals and medical college hospitals.

The DGHS warned that any violation of these directives would hold the head of the concerned hospital personally accountable.

Health officials said the move comes as a sharp rise in measles cases has placed significant strain on hospital capacity nationwide, with many patients facing difficulties due to bed shortages.