Bangladesh issues 16 directives for government hospitals before Eid holiday

An official says the directives have been given so patients do not suffer during the 5-day holiday

In a bid to ensure uninterrupted medical services during the Eid holiday, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued a set of 16 directives.

These include requiring government hospitals to maintain round-the-clock operations in emergency departments, labour rooms, emergency surgeries, and laboratories.

Private hospitals have also been instructed to keep their emergency units operational.

A letter from the Director of Health Services (Hospitals and Clinics), Abu Hossain Md Moinul Ahsan, outlined the directives, emphasising the necessity of uninterrupted healthcare services throughout the holiday period.

Speaking to bdnews24.com, Ahsan noted that this year’s government gazette declared a five-day Eid holiday, a longer-than-usual break that could potentially disrupt patient care if not properly managed.

"The directives have been given so that patients do not suffer. To mitigate any shortages in medical personnel, we have reduced hospital holidays and ensured that outpatient departments are not closed for more than three days,” Ahsan stated.

“In addition, hospitals have been asked to make necessary arrangements so that there is no manpower shortage to run them.”

The five-day holiday is contingent upon the moon sighting, with Eid-ul-Fitr expected to fall on Mar 31.

The government has designated one day as a general holiday, with the two preceding and two succeeding days declared as official holidays by executive order.

THE DIRECTIVES ARE:

1. Doctors must be available around the clock in emergency departments, with additional staff deployed as necessary.
2. Emergency units, labour rooms, operation theatres, and laboratories must remain open at all times.
3. Hospital manpower must be scheduled in staggered shifts to ensure uninterrupted service.
4. Institutional heads must grant leave judiciously, prioritising emergency services and public welfare.
5. Civil surgeons and divisional directors can make essential staff adjustments from within districts during Eid holidays.
6. Heads of internal medicine units must supervise daily operations. Emergency laboratory and X-ray services must function continuously at all major hospitals, with on-call specialists available at the Upazila level.
7. Adequate stocks of medicines, IV fluids, surgical materials, and chemical reagents must be secured in advance, with storekeepers and assigned staff remaining within their respective districts.
8. Ambulance services must operate without interruption.
9. Local authorities and law-enforcing agencies should be notified in advance to ensure hospital security.
10. Fire safety measures must be enforced in all healthcare institutions.
11. Hospital heads and department chiefs must maintain regular communication with on-duty staff and extend Eid greetings.
12. If an institutional head takes leave, a designated officer must assume responsibilities, and their contact details must be reported to higher authorities.
13. High-quality meals must be provided to patients on Eid day, with institutional heads overseeing service and engaging with patients.
14. Outpatient departments must not remain closed for more than 72 consecutive hours.
15. Private hospitals and clinics must adhere to additional mandates:

Emergency and maternity wards must operate 24/7 under registered doctors.

Patients must receive first aid and necessary en route treatment before being referred elsewhere.

Ambulance assistance must be ensured for referred patients.

19. Any disaster or unexpected incident must be promptly reported to the DGHS control room.