Ensuring free and rapid dengue test

The dengue situation in Bangladesh has already taken an alarming turn. It is feared to worsen further in the days to come. According to the latest official data, the death toll from dengue fever has risen to 273 nationwide as of Wednesday. The hospitals in the country have been reporting more than 2,500 new cases of dengue every day, taking the overall tally of infections to 57,127 this year. A pre-monsoon government-funded survey of Dhaka city has uncovered an alarming surge of Aedes mosquitoes, known as carriers of the dengue virus, fuelling the worst spread of the disease over the past five years.

However, it is important to note that the actual number of dengue patients may be much higher than the reported ones as many infected individuals do not seek tests or hospitalisation. Physicians have observed that 80 per cent of the patients who died in hospitals had become seriously ill after hospitalisation. In this case, early detection of dengue infection can save people's life. But a lack of awareness often leads many people to delay seeking medical care and test. The dengue test costs Tk 50 in government hospitals and Tk 300 in private hospitals. Unfortunately, government hospitals are frequently overcrowded with patients and many people have reported delays in receiving their test reports. Doctors strongly recommend seeking immediate treatment for dengue disease. However, if test results are not promptly received, patients might face problems in receiving timely treatment.

People are already in dire straits due to rising commodity prices. Therefore, free dengue testing and treatment should be ensured by the government. The authorities concerned should make dengue tests free at public hospitals and reduce fees for all other relevant tests of dengue at private hospitals in consideration of the health exigency. What is also of utmost importance is that they should step up measures to deliver test reports as early as possible.

Afroza Sheikh,

Dania, Dhaka,

ilcbd2008@gmail.com