The government is setting up dengue corners at upazila health complexes across Bangladesh as part of its preparations to tackle a possible rise in dengue cases, Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said today.

“We are taking all-out preparations to face dengue. Dengue corners are being set up at upazila health centres. A field hospital is ready at Dhaka Medical College Hospital to provide treatment to patients, and more field hospitals will be established in different parts of the country if needed,” he said.

Speaking at a meeting on dengue preparedness at the health ministry conference room, the minister said the government does not want to waste any time as sporadic dengue cases have already been detected and the disease is common during this season.

The meeting was attended by State Minister for Health MA Muhit, Additional Secretary ATM Saiful Islam, Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Pravath Chandra Biswas, Additional Director General of DGHS Prof Zahid Raihan, Director (Disease Control) Prof Halimur Rashid, Director (Hospitals) Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan and leaders of the Society of Medicine.

The minister said the Society of Medicine, an organisation of medicine specialists, will provide detailed training, including clinical management plans, while organisations such as Unicef are also extending support.

Training programmes for doctors and nurses will begin from tomorrow in all seven divisions outside Dhaka and at district-level facilities, he said.

The government already has stocks of reagents, testing kits, intravenous fluids and other essential supplies, and has decided to procure additional quantities based on demand, the minister added.

Asked about measures to control mosquito breeding, the minister said the health ministry started working with city corporations on the issue two months ago.

"We will hold another meeting with city corporations and other relevant stakeholders tomorrow," he said.