DGHS stresses for cold diseases medics
Staff Reporter :
Health Directorate directs hospitals to maintain sufficient stocks of essential medicines amid winter illness rise
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued directives to hospitals nationwide to ensure adequate availability of essential medicines to cope with the increasing number of winter-related diseases.
The instructions, part of seven special preparedness measures for the winter season, aim to strengthen hospital readiness as respiratory infections and other seasonal illnesses tend to spike during this period.
The essential supplies include nebuliser solutions, antibiotics, oxygen, oral rehydration salts (ORS), and intravenous fluids.
The directives were circulated through an official notice signed by Dr Abu Hossain Md Moinul Ahsan, director (Hospitals and Clinics) of the DGHS, instructing all government hospitals to implement the measures immediately to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
In addition to medicine availability, hospitals have been asked to repair broken windows, doors, and other openings that allow cold air into wards. These repairs are to be carried out through the Public Works Department (PWD), Health Engineering Department (HED), or hospital management where applicable.
Hospitals have also been directed to ensure that patients are provided with sufficient blankets and mosquito nets to reduce the risk of cold-related complications.
To enhance patient care and monitoring, mandatory afternoon rounds in paediatric and medicine wards have been introduced. Hospital authorities have further been encouraged to educate patients’ attendants on the prevention and management of winter-related illnesses.
As part of strengthened supervision, hospitals must submit daily situation reports to the MIS control room, while hospital heads have been instructed to closely monitor the implementation of these measures.
Meanwhile, severe cold conditions have caused a sharp rise in cold-related illnesses in the Rangpur division. Over the past three days, Rangpur Medical College Hospital admitted 1,421 new patients, while 103 deaths were reported between January 1 and 3.
DGHS data show that more than 100,000 patients were admitted to hospitals across the country with winter-related diseases between November 1 last year and January 4 this year. During the same period, 44 deaths were recorded, underscoring the importance of improved preparedness and timely medical response during the winter season.