As Bangladesh has been reeling from heat waves in the last couple of years and onwards, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) unveiled national guidelines for hospitals and individual citizens to minimise the risks of heat stress.
“Medical staff at all public health facilities have already been instructed to follow the guidelines as people, particularly the patients of diabetes, heart diseases, pregnant women and children are struggling to adapt to rising temperatures,” Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen said while attending the unveiling event as chief guest on Sunday (5 May).
United Nations organisation UNICEF supported the formulation of the guidelines.
The guidelines identify people aged 60 years and older, pregnant women, children, and outdoor service providers as the most vulnerable to heat-related diseases.
According to the guidelines, health facilities shall check inventories and ensure the availability of basic equipment, required medicines and trained staff to treat heat-affected patients.
The guidelines include that health facilities must keep air passage clear and install air conditioners, if possible, or ensure the availability of cooling mechanisms including hand fans for use during electrical failure.
The guidelines classify different heatwaves and associated vulnerabilities of people and give directives to health practitioners and individuals on how to respond to changing situations.
Presenting keynotes, DGHS’s Additional Director General (Development and Planning) Professor Dr Meerjady Sabrina Flora said heat waves increase transmission of food and water-borne diseases such as cholera, malaria, dehydration, dengue fever, and electrolyte imbalance.
Chronic respiratory illnesses like asthma could be aggravated due to increased temperature, she said.
She added, “Preventive measures are crucial. So the guidelines also include plantation of trees around and use of building insulation materials at health facilities.”
Chaired by DGHS Director General Dr Abul Bashar Mohammed Khurshid Alam, the programme was also addressed by Health Service Division Secretary Jahangir Alam, DGHS additional Director General Dr Professor Ahmedul Kabir, UNICEF Bangladesh’s Deputy Representative Emma Brigham, DGHS Director (Planning and Research) Dr Afreena Mahmood.
