Wear long lungis, pajamas to prevent dengue: Health Minister

Health Minister Sardar Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain has said that people are being urged to sleep under mosquito nets, wear full-sleeved shirts, pajamas or long lungis as part of nationwide awareness campaigns to combat dengue.

Responding to an urgent notice under Rule 71 of the Rules of Procedure from MP Md Nurul Islam of the Chapainawabganj-3 constituency in parliament on Wednesday, July 15, the minister said the government has taken comprehensive measures since assuming office, including spraying insecticides and distributing larvicide tablets.

The minister said dengue testing reagents and kits are available in sufficient quantities—a stock unprecedented in previous governments. In government hospitals, the NS1 test is free, and IgG and IgM test fees have been reduced to Tk 50. Currently, 1,06,600 kits are in stock, with another 5 lakh kits expected in the next month. An additional 1 lakh saline bags have also been kept in reserve.

Private hospitals have been instructed to reserve 10 per cent of beds for dengue patients, and charges for tests must follow government rates. Mobile hospitals are ready if the situation worsens, and the army can be deployed if necessary. ICU facilities are being expanded at the district level, with 10-bed ICUs already operational in 12 districts, and five more to be added within 15 days.

The minister also called on MPs to conduct cleanliness drives in their constituencies.