Dr Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser overseeing the Ministry of Health, said on Monday, June 16, that there is no need for alarm regarding COVID-19, given the current patient numbers and global trends.

He also highlighted efforts to control dengue outbreaks in Bangladesh.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the National GastroLiver Hospital and the National Institute of Diseases of the Chest & Hospital (NIDCH) in Dhaka’s Mohakhali, Dr Sayedur said, “Our diagnostic efforts for COVID-19 are ongoing, with testing conducted through three methods. We have dedicated hospitals and units for treatment, and the Ministry’s current resources are adequate to manage the situation.”

He added, “The low number of COVID-19 and testing rates suggest mild symptoms among the population, reinforcing that there’s no cause for panic at this stage.”

Addressing the spread of Aedes mosquitoes, Dr Sayedur noted high dengue infection rates in Barishal and Dhaka, attributing this to ineffective local government mosquito control programs.

“Our special teams are active in high-risk areas, and updated guidelines will be issued soon,” he said.

Commenting on the institutes visited, Dr Sayedur praised the National GastroLiver Hospital for its modern management and patient satisfaction, noting plans for liver transplants.

“I discussed technical details with surgeons and confirmed sufficient manpower and equipment,” he said.

However, he expressed concerns about the NIDCH, the country’s oldest chest disease institute. “It suffers from structural weaknesses and requires long-term development, including building upgrades and expansion. There’s a severe manpower shortage, but the recruitment of 6,800 doctors through four BCS exams is underway. We aim to make the remaining floors operational despite constraints,” he explained.

Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services, Professor Dr. Abu Zafar, and other officials were present during the visit.