Every Upazila Health Complex in the Country Will Gradually Be Upgraded to 151 Beds: Health Minister

Photo: CNI

Narayanganj Correspondent: Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain, MP, has said that every upazila health complex in the country will gradually be upgraded from 50 beds to 151 beds.

He said the government has taken an initiative to further strengthen the health system at the upazila level to bring improved healthcare services to the doorsteps of the people.

He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a free medical camp and fish fry release programme organized at Bhulta Paragaon Eidgah field in Rupganj, Narayanganj, on Saturday afternoon to mark the founding anniversary of the BNP.

In response to a demand from local Member of Parliament Mostafizur Rahman Dipu, the minister announced that the Rupganj Upazila Health Complex would be upgraded to 151 beds.

Regarding dengue, the Health Minister said that dengue cannot be controlled only by medicines or spraying insecticides. For this, everyone, including individuals, families, local administration and public representatives, must work together. Everyone must declare war against dengue.

He said it is extremely important to destroy the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes and keep stagnant water around homes, rooftops, drains, ditches and surrounding land clean. Earlier, the minister had also said that stagnant water is one of the main causes of Aedes mosquito breeding and that combating dengue is difficult without personal and social awareness.

Alongside medical preparedness to tackle dengue, the government is also emphasizing preventive measures. In June, the Ministry of Health said that dengue treatment would be provided free of charge at government hospitals, while private hospitals had been instructed to reserve 10 percent of their beds, and a decision had been taken to provide up to an 80 percent discount on testing costs.

Measles-Rubella Vaccination Programme Again

Expressing concern over the measles situation, the Health Minister said that a large number of children in the country have already been vaccinated against measles and rubella. However, as measles has not yet been fully controlled, another special vaccination programme has been undertaken.

According to recent information from the Ministry of Health, 17,268,908 children have been vaccinated against measles and rubella under the ongoing special vaccination programme, which is about 96 percent of the targeted number.

The minister said that nearly 40 million vaccines have been collected to prevent measles and that the second phase of the special measles-rubella vaccination campaign will begin in the country on September 26.

He said that simply administering vaccines is not enough; ensuring children’s nutrition is also essential. Malnutrition can increase complications and the risk of death among children infected with measles. Therefore, alongside vaccination, importance must also be given to children’s nutrition, care and prompt treatment.

The Health Minister said the government wants to bring healthcare services closer to the people. For this, the capacity of upazila health complexes will be increased. Alongside increasing the number of beds, importance is also being given to ensuring doctors, nurses, medicines, and necessary medical equipment.

The programme was chaired by local Member of Parliament Mostafizur Rahman Dipu Bhuiyan. Also speaking at the event were Member of Parliament Abul Kalam, Narayanganj District Council Administrator Professor Mamun Mahmud, and Narayanganj Development Authority Chairman Mashukul Islam Rajib.

Local BNP leaders and activists, doctors, and people from various professions were present.