A TOTAL of 1,200 dengue patients were admitted to different hospitals across Bangladesh in a 24-hour from Monday to Tuesday. In a statement, Health Emergency Operations Center and Control Room at Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) stated that dengue spreads among humans through its carrier Aedes mosquito that has been turned epidemic recently, prompting Health Ministry to cancel leave for all physicians, nurses and other staffs in hospitals. Government information showed a total of 40 people have died due to dengue, however unofficial death toll is over 82. So far, 44,500 people have been affected by dengue virus in this season, but the estimation is unrealistic as the statistics counted only patients who took service from public hospitals.
The number of patients is increasing in every minute while number of areas has been rapidly increasing where dengue patients are identified across the country. The city corporations and the municipalities are helpless in preventing dengue virus for shortage of effective insecticide. Meanwhile, hospital staffs are providing supreme services with limited capacity and resources. As the Directorate of Health cancelled leave of all doctors for providing healthcare to the dengue affected people, citizens are feeling safe comparatively.
On the other hand, the Cabinet is divided over the degree of danger of dengue epidemic and the control the outbreak. The nonchalance of the Dhaka City Corporations was high thus they did not take preventive measures against dengue though information of dengue fear outbreak was on their hands two months before. If we consider the City Mayors are the villain for their utter failure and rude comments over dengue epidemic, the doctors and nurses in the hospitals are the heroes in the emergency. Nonetheless, we urge the relevant ministries to prevent dengue epidemic and ensure treatment for all in a coordinate manner.
