News Flash
DHAKA, June 2, 2026 (BSS) - Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md.
Sakhawat Hossain today urged private hospitals across the country to provide
up to 80 percent discounts on diagnostic tests for dengue patients to reduce
their treatment costs during the mosquito-borne disease season.
"We want private hospitals to offer up to an 80 percent discount on various
tests for dengue patients. Discussions are also underway with the concerned
authorities regarding waiving doctors' consultation fees and extending other
forms of support," he told journalists after a meeting on dengue prevention,
treatment and clinical guidelines at the Health Ministry conference room at
the Secretariat here this afternoon.
Sakhawat Hossain said the government had already discussed the issue with
private hospital authorities as part of efforts to make dengue treatment more
affordable.
"If a patient's diagnostic tests cost Taka 10,000, a discount of up to Taka
8,000 is being considered," he said, adding that treatment for complicated
cases, including hemorrhagic dengue, would be determined according to
physicians' recommendations.
Sakhawat said all private hospitals would be asked to keep at least 10
percent of their beds vacant for dengue patients. Patients would only have to
bear the cost of medicines and food while doctors' consultation fees for
dengue treatment should be fully waived.
Highlighting the government's early preparedness, the minister said
initiatives were being taken to lower treatment costs through discounted
diagnostic services and to stop the use of medicines that could increase
health risks for dengue patients.
He said the government had launched advance planning for mosquito control and
healthcare management before the onset of the dengue season, drawing lessons
from previous public health challenges.
The minister noted that although experts had repeatedly stressed the need for
regular "death reviews" of dengue-related fatalities over the past several
years, such analyses had not been conducted to the desired extent.
"We will enhance capacity and undertake initiatives to ensure accurate and
regular analysis of dengue-related deaths," he said.
Sakhawat said regular virtual meetings were being held with divisional
commissioners, divisional directors, city corporations and district
administrations across the country. Coordination meetings would also be
organised at the upazila level through civil surgeons.
Professional organisations had already begun training programmes for
physicians at district and upazila levels to strengthen dengue management, he
added.
Calling upon private hospitals to remain prepared, the minister said they
must maintain adequate stocks of saline and other essential medical supplies
during the dengue season.
He said every hospital had been asked to submit information within the next
three days regarding their total bed capacity, the number of beds allocated
for dengue patients and the volume of saline stocks available.
Replying to a question about the effectiveness of insecticides used in
mosquito control, the minister said a separate meeting had been held on the
issue and laboratory tests confirmed the effectiveness of the insecticides
currently in use.
To strengthen public awareness against dengue, he announced a nationwide
special campaign beginning next Saturday.
As part of the programme, awareness rallies will be held simultaneously in
Dhaka North and South City Corporations as well as in all divisions and
districts across the country.
The campaign will also include public announcements, awareness drives,
courtyard meetings, community gatherings and cultural programmes aimed at
increasing public participation in dengue prevention efforts.
