The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued special emergency directives to tackle the flood situation and ensure emergency healthcare services in the affected areas. The directives were sent to all divisional health directors, civil surgeons, and upazila health officials across the country through a letter signed by Abu Hossain Md. Moinul Ahsan, Director of the DGHS Hospital and Clinic Branch.
Key Decisions and Measures
The decisions were taken at a virtual meeting held on July 10 with DGHS Director General Professor Dr. Pravath Chandra Biswas. The meeting adopted seven special decisions, including the cancellation of leave for officials and employees if necessary, to ensure uninterrupted medical services in flood-affected areas.
Focal persons must be appointed at all flood-affected upazila, district, and divisional levels. They will maintain round-the-clock coordination with the control room and the DGHS. Their mobile phone numbers must be shared with relevant organizations and individuals.
Formation of Medical Teams and Stock Maintenance
The directives instructed the formation of the required number of medical teams in all affected upazilas and districts to ensure emergency healthcare services for flood-hit people. Adequate stocks and supplies of essential medicines, oral rehydration salts (ORS), saline, and water purification tablets must be ensured in all flood-affected upazilas.
All affected upazilas have been instructed to maintain adequate stocks of anti-snake venom for the treatment of snakebite patients. If necessary, the supply should be ensured through coordination with neighboring healthcare institutions.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups and Ensuring Healthcare Workers
The directives also called for necessary measures to protect the health of pregnant women and children and instructed that expectant mothers be transferred to hospitals under government arrangements whenever required. Coordination with the Family Planning Department has also been advised.
To ensure uninterrupted healthcare services in flood-affected upazilas and districts, the authorities have been instructed to ensure the presence of doctors, nurses, midwives, and other healthcare workers. The decisions also mentioned that necessary measures, including cancellation of leave if required, should be taken.
Media and Public Communication
Officials have been asked to regularly inform the media about flood response activities through press conferences or press releases. An emergency press conference has been scheduled for July 12 to highlight healthcare services being provided to flood-affected people.
