DGHS Warns Hospitals Against Turning Away Measles Patients

Bangla Press Desk:   The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) on Thursday instructed all the government hospitals not to refuse patients with measles or measles-like symptoms due to bed shortage.

The instruction came as some public hospitals have been facing immense pressure with an increased number of measles patients in recent times as five more children died of measles-like symptoms and 1,295 new cases were reported in the past 24 hours until 8:0am on the day, according to the DGHS bulletin.

The DGHS asked the government hospitals to increase beds to cope with the growing number of measles patients, instead of refusing them.

Even if there are no vacant beds in the hospitals, the patients cannot be returned. If necessary, additional beds must be arranged, according to the directive.

However, patients can be referred only if complex and advanced treatment is required, it added.

In the case of referral, the prescribed referral chain of upazila health complexes, district hospitals, medical college hospitals and specialised hospitals must be strictly followed.

The DGHS warned of taking tough actions if the directives are violated, and the heads of the hospitals concerned will be made responsible for it.

Meanwhile, a total of 233 children died of measles and measles-like symptoms across the country since March 15 and at least 39 of them were confirmed as measles cases.

On the other hand, the total caseloads jumped to 28,334, including 4,029 confirmed cases, according to the DGHS.

A total of 18,845 measles patients were admitted to hospitals across the country since March 15, of whom 15,728 had recovered and returned home, the DGHS said.

Following the surge in measles virus in the country, the government has started a nationwide measles vaccination programme since April 20.

Vaccinating children aged between six and 59 months is essential to controlling the disease, according to health experts.

Measles virus has become powerful as herb immunity in the country weekend amid low vaccination coverage, said health specialists.

Globally, measles infection sees a rise in the summer. But Bangladesh plunged into a crisis due to the massive outbreak due to low vaccine coverage in the last few years.