Flood in Sylhet: Health Minister issues urgent directives for physicians

Health Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen has issued urgent directives to doctors in flood-affected areas of Sylhet to combat the outbreak of diarrhoea and waterborne diseases.

The minister gave these directives in an emergency meeting with officials of Sylhet Division’s health sector via the online platform Zoom from the Secretariat this morning

During the meeting, Dr Sen emphasized adequate salines and medicines stock in the hospitals and medical centres in the affected areas.

He also instructed that sufficient anti-venom supplies be maintained in hospitals for the treatment of poisonous snake bites.

The health minister urged everyone to follow proper health guidelines.

He also directed the authorities concerned to take necessary measures to provide appropriate medical services in the aftermath of the flood after discussing with the lawmakers of the flood-affected areas.

Md. Jahangir Alam, Secretary of the Health Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Professor Dr. Ahmedul Kabir, Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, and other officials from Sylhet Division’s health sector, also joined the meeting virtually.

In the afternoon, Dr Sen visited Dhaka Medical College, where he exchanged Eid greetings with doctors and assessed the overall condition of the hospital.

He inspected the Microbiology Lab, Biochemistry Lab, and Pathology Lab. Following this, the Health Minister visited Evercare Hospital, where he inspected the Emergency Ward and Admission Ward, spoke with admitted patients, and reviewed the hospital‍‍`s necessary approvals and documents.

Concluding his day, the Health Minister inspected the Islamic Bank Hospital and Cardiac Center in Mirpur, Dhaka. He reviewed the Emergency Department, ICU, HDU, and CCU, and spoke with patients, their relatives, and doctors.

He also examined hospital documents and issued instructions to avoid admitting patients beyond the approved bed capacity and to ensure that there are always adequate specialist doctors available.