Emergency units, measles wards must remain operational during Eid holidays: DGHS

Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has directed all government hospitals to keep emergency departments, measles wards and other critical healthcare services operational throughout the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha holidays.

In an 18-point directive issued today (19 May), the health directorate instructed hospitals to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services from 25 to 31 May during the Eid break.

The notice, signed by Dr Md Moinul Ahsan, director of the hospital and clinic branch of DGHS, said emergency departments, labour rooms, emergency operation theatres, laboratories, CT scan and MRI services must remain operational round the clock.

Hospitals have also been asked to deploy additional doctors in emergency departments if necessary to ensure continuous physician presence.

The directive further instructed divisional and district-level hospitals to ensure adequate doctors and healthcare workers in paediatric wards and measles isolation wards.

Specialist doctors have been directed to conduct ward rounds twice daily, including on holidays.

To maintain sufficient manpower and healthcare services, hospitals may coordinate staff leave schedules before and after Eid, according to the directive.

It also said institution heads should prioritise uninterrupted emergency medical services and public interest while approving leave applications.

Civil surgeons and divisional directors will be allowed to coordinate emergency staffing within their districts during the holiday period.

Heads of inpatient units have been instructed to supervise departmental activities daily, while emergency laboratory and X-ray services must remain operational at medical college hospitals, specialised hospitals, district hospitals and upazila health complexes.

Specialist doctors at the upazila level will also have to remain available on call.

The directive instructed hospitals to ensure adequate stock of medicines, IV fluids, chemical reagents and surgical supplies before the holiday begins.

Storekeepers or staff responsible during the holidays must remain stationed in their respective districts and upazilas.

Hospitals have also been instructed to keep ambulance services operational round the clock and notify local administration and law enforcement agencies in advance regarding security arrangements during the holidays.

DGHS further instructed all healthcare institutions to maintain fire safety precautions during the Eid holidays.

Institution heads and department chiefs have been asked to maintain regular communication with officials and staff responsible for holiday services and exchange Eid greetings with them on Eid day.

The directive also stated that if an institution head goes on leave, a designated replacement must be assigned according to regulations and the higher authorities must be informed of the responsible officer's name and mobile number.

Hospital authorities have additionally been instructed to supervise the quality of food served to patients on Eid day and exchange greetings with them.

Outdoor services cannot remain closed for more than 72 consecutive hours, the notice said, adding that hospitals may remain open on 26 May and 30 May depending on decisions by institution heads.

Healthcare facilities located near cattle markets have been asked to take special preparedness measures.

DGHS also directed all hospitals to immediately inform its control room of any disaster or unexpected incident during the holiday period.