PM Directs Prompt Flood Emergency Healthcare and Relief

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered leaders to provide prompt flood emergency healthcare and relief to victims right away. Specifically, these orders include keeping enough snake antivenom and medical supplies in risk areas. Dr Zahed Ur Rahman shared this news on Tuesday. Furthermore, he is the Prime Minister’s Information Adviser. He spoke at a press briefing in Dhaka.

“The Premier told local leaders to stay on high alert,” the adviser said. Consequently, they must work together to save lives. They must also help people in remote, flooded areas. Meanwhile, Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed attended the meeting. Riasat Al Wasif from the Ministry of Information was also there.

Meetings and Strict Orders

The prime minister gave these orders during a video call on Sunday. Indeed, many local leaders joined this call. For instance, police chiefs and health officers from all eight divisions took part. Additionally, other field officials joined the talk.

The premier asked officials to supply daily needs without pause. Typically, these items include dry food and safe drinking water. They must also supply baby food, medicine, and continuous flood emergency healthcare. Therefore, officials must not neglect these duties.

The prime minister also asked rescue teams to care for weak groups first. Particularly, they must focus on women, children, and old people. Moreover, disabled people and pregnant women need urgent help.

Medical Help and Army Support

The government cancelled holidays for all health workers. Currently, this rule applies to eleven flooded districts. As a result, it keeps flood emergency healthcare services running without pause. Meanwhile, the Border Guard Bangladesh is helping too. The Bangladesh Army is also on the ground. Together, the army helps local leaders send relief to remote spots.

Floods bring a high risk of snakebites. In fact, this risk is very high near hills and rivers. Fortunately, the government has prepared well for this danger. Consequently, Dr Zahed said health teams are ready. Additionally, they have sent out many antivenom shots across the country.

“People do not need to panic. Because the government is fully ready,” the adviser said. He also added that every district hospital has enough antivenom. Likewise, upazila hospitals have plenty. Furthermore, workers have handed out oral saline to treat waterborne diarrhoeal diseases.

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Huge Stock of Medical Supplies

Local health centers now hold 21,000 anti-snake venom shots. Meanwhile, the central reserve safely keeps 1,000 more doses. Ultimately, this helps rural people get fast medical care.

The government also saved up other vital medical items. Specifically, officials kept 399,879 bags of cholera saline ready. In addition, they sent out about 7.59 million packets of oral saline. The stock also has 3.62 million water cleaning tablets. Furthermore, there are 99,995 bags of normal saline. The health office also holds 119,920 dengue test kits.

Medical workers are helping victims day and night. Indeed, special teams work around the clock in flooded areas. Specifically, they give primary care, medicine, and saline to sick people. Therefore, they are a big part of the local flood emergency healthcare plan.

Impact Across Seven Districts

Floods have hit seven districts very hard. For example, the adviser named Khagrachhari, Rangamati, and Bandarban. Similarly, Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Moulvibazar, and Habiganj are flooded. Overall, the water covers 346 local areas in 59 upazilas.

Floodwaters have trapped about 700,000 people. Sadly, the death toll is now 54. In response, the government opened 1,049 safe shelters for displaced people. Additionally, these shelters help teams deliver flood emergency healthcare safely. Therefore, the adviser begged people in danger zones to go there fast.

Dr Zahed said the country has enough food. Currently, government stores hold a record 2,326,160 metric tonnes of food grains. Undoubtedly, this huge stock can easily feed people during any disaster.

Aid for the Hill Tracts

The government sent special aid to the Chattogram Hill Tracts. Recently, a state minister visited the area. During his trip, he checked places hit by floods and mudslides. Afterward, he handed out aid from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

The Ministry of Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs opened a control room. Furthermore, the government gave 1,300 metric tonnes of rice for aid. Specifically, this food will go to Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban.

The ministry’s secretary is watching the ongoing relief operations closely. Additionally, other senior leaders are helping too. Currently, they are checking the damage. Ultimately, this makes sure that relief and strict directives reach the people who need help most.

Source: BSS