Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain has stated that the government is fully prepared to tackle the dengue outbreak, with adequate stocks of diagnostic kits, saline, medicines, ICU facilities, doctors, and nurses available at government hospitals nationwide. He also mentioned that private hospitals have been directed to ensure proper treatment for dengue patients.
Government's Dengue Preparedness
From the beginning of 2026 to July 9, 6,175 dengue cases and 22 deaths were recorded across the country, compared to 15,210 infections and 58 deaths during the same period in 2025. The minister emphasized that the number of infections and fatalities has declined by more than half compared to the previous year, but stressed that there is no room for complacency.
Weekly cleanliness drives have been conducted nationwide every Saturday for the past two months, coordinated by 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.
Challenges and Measures
The minister acknowledged the challenges in controlling the spread of Aedes mosquitoes in the densely populated country, particularly during the rainy season. He mentioned that authorities often 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.
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. The Central Medical Stores Depot currently has 106,600 rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits in stock, with nearly 500,000 more kits to be added within the next month. An additional 100,000 saline bags have been stocked, and adequate supplies have been distributed to upazila-level hospitals.
The minister assured that no patient's treatment will be disrupted due to shortages of test kits or saline. He also mentioned that mobile hospitals would be deployed if the number of dengue patients rises significantly, and the Bangladesh Army has been kept ready for emergency support. ICU facilities, ventilators, medicines, doctors, and nurses have been kept on standby to ensure that no patient dies for lack of treatment.
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. The minister also clarified that doctors and nurses are being regularly recruited and posted at the upazila level despite manpower constraints. ICU units have been launched in 12 districts, with five more districts set to have such facilities within the next 15 days.
