The number of dengue patients is now on the rise. The situation may worsen further in the coming month of October as the number of cases and fatalities from dengue fever are rising day by day in the country.
Recent rainfall and waterlogging might be the reason behind the surge in dengue patients.
The hospitals and clinics are struggling to provide treatment to the growing number of patients due to insufficient facilities. Many hospitals and clinics are already overwhelmed with dengue patients.
Till September 23, the death toll from the dengue stood at about 135 with about 25,000 cases. Experts sad that October is likely to see even worse dengue situation.
It was found in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Mugda Medical College Hospital and some other hospitals and clinic in the capital that the hospitals have been struggling to accommodate the dengue patients and setting up additional beds on the corridors to provide treatment.
Some doctors said the current month is seeing continuous increase in dengue cases compared to previous months. Many patients are being hospitalised with severe symptom of Dengue, particularly shock syndrome. Over 2,800 patients were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Mugda Medical College Hospital in August while some 2,500 patients have already been
hospitalised this month.
Many patients were admitted in critical condition, showing symptoms such as low blood pressure, multiple organ dysfunctions, vomiting and lethargy.
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) also admitted that the number of dengue cases is increasing compared to previous months, with 55 per cent of patients hospitalised outside Dhaka.
Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed, an adviser to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR), said as the number of dengue cases rises, the death toll will proportionally increase, noting that the causes for which 2023 witnessed the highest deaths have not been resolved.
He emphasised the need for decentralisation of medical care, as patients with less risks are often kept at the city hospitals unnecessarily instead of providing care at upazila or local hospitals, putting strains on the proper treatment of critical patients.
In such a situation, the government has formed 10 vigilance teams to implement the anti-mosquito campaign properly across the country. “The vigilance teams have been formed to properly implement, coordinate and closely monitor the anti-mosquito drive to combat the outbreak of dengue intensively,” says an official release issued on Monday.
Of the ten teams, four will work in the areas of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), while three will work in the areas of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and one team each has been formed for other city corporations including Narayanganj, Gazipur and Chattogram.
Besides, another team has been formed for the vulnerable areas under Savar, Dohar, Tarabo, Rupganj and other municipalities.
A seven-member committee was formed forcollecting information and coordinating the programme headed by additional and joint secretaries of LGD under the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives.
The teams will visit at least three dengue outbreak areas daily and monitor its prevention programme with the coordination of chief executives of the city corporations and municipalities.
DSCC Administrator Dr. Mohd Sher Ali told media that instructions have been given to all concerned to ensure coordinated and proper implementation of mosquito control activities in Dhaka city.
He, however, said they are implementing necessary activities with due importance to destroy the breeding places of Aedes mosquitoes.
DSCC Chief Executive Officer Md Mizanur Rahman said, “Our health department and waste management department have started conducting special cleanliness and mosquito control activities in the areas where the prevalence of Aedes mosquitoes is high.”
DNCC Administrator Md Mahmudul Hasan said that the sources where Aedes larvae can grow should be cleaned and destroyed alongside spraying insecticides regularly to control dengue. The monitoring team consisting of officials of different departments is properly supervising the activities conducted in each region. Students and other citizens need to be involved, he added.
On September 19, the DNCC launched a week-long special mosquito eradication programme, which will continue until September 25. Each ward has been divided into sub-blocks for targeted inspections to identify and destroy mosquito breeding grounds.
Meanwhile, the DSCC on Monday conducted special anti-mosquito and cleaning drive in 14 wards to curb dengue alongside its regular activities.
A team of DSCC comprised of its health department and waste management department ran the drive in wards 6, 14, 16, 22, 24, 29, 32, 47, 59, 64, 65, 67, 72 and 75, says a press release.
During the drive, 13 workers participated in larviciding activities, while 13 workers in adulticiding activities and 300 cleaners from waste management department.
