The Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) has donated 100,000 units of intravenous (IV) saline to support the treatment of dengue patients, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain said today.

Speaking to journalists at the ministry's conference room at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the minister said the Central Medical Store currently holds 100,000 units of saline in stock, with an additional 20,000 to 25,000 units available at the upazila level.

"We are prepared to ensure additional supplies if demand increases," he added.

State Minister for Health Dr M A Muhit said the government had made advance preparations ahead of the dengue season and was rolling out measures to reduce infection rates.

"All stakeholders must work together to strengthen the public health system," he said.

On Bangladesh's pharmaceutical sector, the health minister said locally produced medicines are now being exported to more than 140 countries, and the export market would expand further once the country achieves self-sufficiency in vaccine production.

He also addressed the recent child deaths at Ad-din Hospital, saying the authorities had been given two more days to respond to a government show-cause notice.

"If the authorities fail to provide a satisfactory response within the stipulated time, further legal action will be taken," the minister warned.