Published : 01 Oct 2026, 03:58 PM
Updated : 01 Oct 2026, 03:57 PM
Bangladesh is considering introducing a dengue vaccine, with the government discussing the issue with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and Gavi, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain has said.
He spoke at Kurmitola Multicare Specialized Hospital in Dhaka on Thursday while receiving 500,000 dengue NS1 rapid diagnostic test kits donated by the United States.
The kits were handed over by US Chargé d’Affaires in Bangladesh Trishita Moula through the US-funded Strengthening Responses to Infectious Diseases and Epidemics (STRIDES) programme, the health ministry said.
The minister also visited the hospital’s dengue ward and diagnostic laboratory.
According to him, government facilities already have adequate stocks of dengue antigen test kits and intravenous saline alongside the newly donated supplies.
The health authorities are therefore “prepared” to ensure testing and treatment if dengue cases rise in any part of the country.
Sakhawat directed officials to distribute the donated kits across the country quickly.
The handover was held at the Kurmitola hospital for easier access amid traffic and transport constraints, but all the kits will first be deposited with the Central Medical Stores Depot (CMSD), he said.
The Directorate General of Health Services will then distribute them to district and Upazila hospitals according to demand.
