The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has directed that no patient with measles symptoms can be referred from one hospital to another on the grounds of a lack of beds.

Hospitals must arrange additional beds if necessary instead of transferring such patients according to the directive issued on Tuesday, DGHS Director (hospital) Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan told The Daily Star today.

Referrals will be allowed only in cases requiring highly specialised treatment. In such instances, hospitals must follow the designated referral chain -- from upazila to district hospitals, then to medical college hospitals, and finally to specialised facilities.

The directive also warns that any deviation from these instructions will result in accountability for the head of the respective hospital.

The instructions were sent to all directors of government medical colleges and specialised hospitals, superintendents of district sadar and general hospitals, civil surgeons, and upazila health and family planning officers.

While the circular did not specify the reason behind the move, DGHS sources said many hospitals have been referring patients elsewhere, placing a heavy burden on certain facilities amid rising patient pressure.