LATEST
Bangladesh defeated Pakistan 21 years ago, played in final, can they repeat it? Rice, vegetables prices up, consumers in limbo Speaker proposes direct polls for women in 100 JS seats We need a Humayun in the age of internet Rahul accuses Modi of ‘tapping his phone’ I’m getting death threats: Mitu Govt offers food relief to RMG workers Wage Board delay risks RMG stability Millions remain undiagnosed No return, only extradition
Skip to content

Sunday | November 15, 2026 | Dhaka

Severe IV Saline dearth in Sylhet

Patient, families face hardship
 S A Shofiee, Sylhet
 Published: 12:05 AM, 15 November 2026

A severe shortage of life-saving intravenous (IV) saline has hit hospitals and pharmacies across Sylhet. With the rising incidence of diseases such as dengue and diarrhea, the demand for saline has surged, yet market supply has plummeted to critically low levels.

Consequently, patients seeking treatment and their families at both public and private hospitals, including the Sylhet M.A.G. Osmani Medical College Hospital, are facing immense hardship.

A survey of at least 20 pharmacies over the past two days in areas including Medical Road, Chouhatta, Zindabazar, Ambarkhana, and Dargah Gate revealed a critical scarcity of Normal Saline (NS), DNS, Dextrose, and Hartmann’s solution. Most pharmacies have virtually no stock left.

Abul Kalam, a relative of a dengue patient undergoing treatment at Osmani Medical College Hospital, expressed his frustration: “The doctor urgently requested three bags of Normal Saline.

I couldn’t find any inside the hospital, and after checking at least ten pharmacies outside, I still came up empty-handed. Eventually, after much pleading, I was forced to pay 300 Taka for a bag of saline that is officially priced at 85-90 Taka.”

Several pharmacy owners on Medical Road, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that pharmaceutical manufacturers have failed to meet demand for nearly two months.

When they place an order for 100 bags, companies supply only 5 to 10 bags. This leaves the pharmacy owners in an awkward and difficult position when dealing with patients’ families.

The proprietor of a pharmacy in the city noted that despite repeated requests, pharmaceutical companies have failed to provide an adequate supply of saline.

According to them, the shortage stems from a failure to produce a sufficient quantity of the product.

Investigations reveal that private pharmaceutical companies have reduced production due to concerns over potential losses, driven by rising raw material costs and the government’s failure to adjust the regulated prices of saline for an extended period.

On the other hand, the production capacity of the state-owned enterprise, Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), falls far short of demand, which has led to instability in the market.

It is alleged that some unscrupulous traders are exploiting this situation by hoarding saline, thereby creating an artificial crisis.

Public health experts and physicians in Sylhet emphasize that IV saline is essential for saving the lives of patients suffering from dengue or diarrhea, as well as those undergoing obstetric procedures or surgeries. If the supply is not normalized quickly, healthcare services could face a major crisis.

According to the Sylhet District Civil Surgeon’s office, government hospitals currently hold enough stock of saline for emergency needs. However, the supply shortage in the open market and the sale of saline at inflated prices have been reported to the higher authorities.

Furthermore, preparations are underway to conduct mobile court operations-coordinated by the Directorate General of Drug Administration and the district administration-to curb this artificial crisis.

A representative from Beximco Pharmaceuticals, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that private pharmaceutical companies have reduced production due to rising raw material costs and the government’s failure to adjust the price of saline for an extended period, which has raised concerns about potential losses. Consequently, those of us who supply saline to the market are now facing difficult questions.

The Sylhet office of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection stated that both the Sylhet district administration and the Directorate are conducting regular inspections to prevent this artificial crisis and the charging of excessive prices. During these operations, irregularities were discovered at several pharmacies, resulting in the imposition of fines.

Dr. Badrul Amin, Deputy Director of Sylhet M.A.G. Osmani Medical College Hospital, remarked, “There is a shortage of normal saline across the country, and its impact is being felt here in Sylhet as well.

This issue has already been brought to the attention of the relevant authorities, and we have been in contact with higher officials regarding the next steps.”