Private hospitals across Bangladesh have been directed to  reserve 10 percent of their beds for dengue patients and waive doctors' consultation fees for those receiving treatment, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a briefing after a meeting on dengue prevention and preparedness, he added: “Patients will only have to bear the costs of medicines and meals.”

Private hospitals have also been asked to offer up to 80 percent discounts on diagnostic tests for dengue patients, he said.

In this regard, all such hospitals have been asked to submit detailed information – including the number of beds allocated for dengue patients, the stock of saline and other essential fluids, and their future procurement plans – to the health ministry within the next three days.

The minister also said the government would directly contact patients to monitor whether hospitals are providing the announced facilities and services.

Urging city corporations to intensify drives to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds in abandoned toilets and other places where water accumulates, he said punitive measures would be taken against individuals who allow mosquito breeding.

"Dengue prevention is not the responsibility of the government alone; it is a collective responsibility. Like the Covid-19 pandemic, everyone must work together to tackle the challenge,” he said.

Regarding dengue vaccination, the minister said although dengue vaccines are being used in some countries they have not yet gained universal acceptance.

"Bangladesh will not launch a dengue vaccination programme immediately without consulting international organisations and experts," he said, adding that discussions will be held with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and other relevant bodies before any decision is taken.

A nationwide awareness campaign will be held and rallies would be held simultaneously at 10am on Saturday in Dhaka North City Corporation, Dhaka South City Corporation, all divisional headquarters and district towns, he said.

The campaign, aimed at mobilising public participation in dengue prevention, will continue for three months, he added.

Bangladesh on Monday recorded a sharp rise in dengue infections, with one more death and 110 new patients admitted to hospitals across the country in the last 24 hours.