The dengue situation across the country keeps getting worse every day with the authorities fearing further deterioration during and after the Eid-ul-Azha celebrations. The number of dengue patients admitted to hospitals has been increasing since the beginning of August, sources in the ministry of Health and Family Planning said.
According to Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), 2,200-3,000 people afflicted by the mosquito-borne deadly disease are being hospitalized every day across the country. DGHS Director General of Health Services Professor Dr Abul Kalam Azad told The Asian Age that around 3,000 patients got admitted to hospitals during the last 24 hours until Saturday evening.
Health experts, however, believe that the actual figure of dengue patients will be much higher as many do not go to hospital for test and treatment. “At least 7,000 are being affected by dengue fever every day across the country,” said Dr Abul Baset of the communicable disease unit of a privately-owned hospital. Minister for Health and Family Planning Zahid Maleque expressed the fear that the disease could spread fast in rural areas with the people living in urban areas going to their village homes to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha.
Talking to journalists , he, however, said the government has taken all necessary measures to control dengue spread as much as possible. He said four hospitals in the capital have been kept ready to tackle any spike in dengue patients. They are Sheikh Hasina Burn and Plastic Surgery Institute, Sheikh Russel Digestive Unit, expanded part of NITOR and Shaheed Suhrawadhy Hospital.
According to DGHS, 27 people have so far died of dengue though unofficial estimate suggests the number will be around 100. Government officials and health experts fear the waste of animals sacrificed in the Eid will contribute to deterioration of the dengue situation.
Dhaka north city mayor Atiqul Islam and Dhaka south city mayor Sayeed Khokon, however, told The Asian Age that they will ensure disposal of all waste of sacrificial animals from the roads and public places before the sunset. Our correspondents from districts and upazilas reported rise in dengue patients for the last couple of days, reports internet.
