Health Ministry ready to ensure healthcare services in flood-affected areas: Minister

Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain Bokul has said that the Ministry of Health has completed all necessary preparations to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services in the flood-affected areas across the country. He made the remarks while briefing journalists at the ministry’s conference room on Sunday.

The minister said that 11 districts have been affected by the floods, and all leave for health workers under the Health Ministry in those districts has been cancelled to ensure uninterrupted medical services.

Highlighting the ministry’s preparedness, he said that 21,000 anti-snake venom vials have been stocked at the grassroots level due to the increased risk of snakebites during the floods. In addition, 1,000 anti-snake venom vials are being kept in central reserve. He added that 399,879 cholera saline packets are currently available at the field level.

The minister further informed that 7,585,299 oral saline packets are available in the field, while 3,619,572 water purification tablets have been reserved. He also said that 44,175 CDC dengue diagnostic kits are available in the field and 75,745 CDC dengue diagnostic kits are in central stock. In addition, 99,995 bags of normal saline (CMMC) are currently in reserve.

Sardar Sakhawat Hossain said that the required number of medical teams has been formed in every affected upazila and district and deployed to the flood-hit areas. These teams are providing first aid, treating waterborne diseases, and distributing medicines, oral saline, and water purification tablets.

He added that designated focal persons are maintaining 24-hour coordination with the central control room to ensure an effective emergency response.

The health minister also said that emergency relief was dispatched immediately after floodwaters inundated several districts, including Sunamganj and Kishoreganj. He further noted that direct financial assistance would be provided to flood-affected farmers after preparing a list of beneficiaries.

Health Secretary Kamruzzaman Chowdhury, Director General of Health Services Dr. Probhat Chandra Biswas, and Additional Director General (Administration) Dr. Zahid Raihan were also present at the briefing.