Free dengue tests in all govt hospitals till December 31

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed all government hospitals to provide free NS-1 tests for dengue detection until December 31, 2026.

The directive was issued in a notification from the Health Services Division on Sunday, July 5, signed by Deputy Secretary Kazi Sharif Uddin Ahmed of the Government Health Management-1 branch.

The notification instructed concerned authorities to take necessary measures to continue free NS-1 tests for dengue diagnosis at government hospitals until December 31, 2026.

Copies of the notification have been sent to directors of all medical college hospitals, civil surgeons, upazila health and family planning officers and concerned departments to take necessary steps.

Earlier, on June 14, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance seeking approval to extend the free NS-1 test facility until December 31, 2026, considering the possible deterioration of the dengue situation. The new directive was issued based on that proposal.