The Directorate General of Health Services has issued urgent emergency instructions to field offices. The move aims to tackle the deteriorating flood situation across the country.
The national health body wants to guarantee that emergency medical care remains fully available in all heavily affected areas.
Official notification letters were dispatched on Saturday to all divisional health directors, regional civil surgeons, and upazila health administrators. The document was signed by Abu Hossain Md. Moinul Ahsan, who leads the hospital and clinic branch of the directorate.
The comprehensive plan follows a high-level virtual meeting chaired by the Director General of Health Services, Professor Doctor Pravath Chandra Biswas. During the session, the committee approved seven special directives. The new rules include the potential cancellation of staff leave to keep clinics running continuously.
Under the new guidelines, dedicated coordinator roles must be set up immediately. These focal persons will operate at every affected upazila, district, and divisional tier. The selected coordinators are tasked with maintaining constant communication with the central emergency control room. Their personal mobile numbers will be shared openly with local rescue services and partner organisations.
The directive also orders the immediate setup of mobile medical teams in threatened zones. These teams will travel directly to stranded communities to provide urgent care.
Health chiefs have also been told to keep the public informed. Local offices will hold regular press briefings to share official updates on medical relief efforts.
A major national press conference has been scheduled to share detailed insights into the ongoing emergency health response. Medical storehouses are currently being stocked with vital emergency treatments. Senior officials have ordered large reserves of oral rehydration salts, intravenous saline, and water purification tablets.
Additionally, local clinics must secure adequate stockpiles of anti-snake venom. The directive notes that snakebite risks rise significantly during major floods.
Hospitals have been told to share venom stocks with neighbouring districts if shortages occur. Protecting vulnerable groups remains a top priority for the health ministry. The new rules state that expectant mothers and young children must receive special monitoring.
Local emergency teams will arrange government transport to move pregnant women to larger hospitals whenever necessary. Health teams will work closely with the Family Planning Department to manage this task. To keep things running smoothly, the directorate is demanding a full workforce on the ground. Doctors, nurses, midwives, and support staff must remain present at their stations.
Administrators have been granted the power to suspend all scheduled staff leave to ensure enough workers are available to handle the crisis.
