Bangladesh Declares Highest Health Alert for National Election Period to Safeguard Public Health Services

In a proactive move ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has announced the highest level of health alert across the country’s health system, spanning a continuous six-day period from February 10 to February 15, 2026. The extraordinary directive aims to ensure that health services — especially emergency and primary care — remain robust, accessible, and uninterrupted during the election period, when public movement and service demand can rise significantly.

Under the comprehensive alert, all public and private healthcare facilities nationwide — from community clinics to national hospitals — have been placed on full readiness. Emergency and critical care units, ambulatory services, control rooms, and medical teams at every administrative level are instructed to remain fully operational and prepared to respond swiftly to any health emergencies, natural crises, or accident-related cases that might arise during the election period.

The DGHS directive outlines a multi-tiered medical deployment strategy: six medical teams per city corporation, four teams at divisional headquarters, three at district levels, two at each upazila, and at least one team in every union. These coordinated teams, comprising doctors, nurses, and emergency responders, are tasked with ensuring quick and effective service delivery — an especially crucial requirement during times of heightened movement and gatherings.

Ambulances are to be kept on round-the-clock standby, while control rooms and emergency departments must operate without lapses. Facility heads are personally accountable for overseeing readiness in their jurisdictions, with clear communication channels mandated between institutional leadership and central health authorities. In instances where patients require referral to higher-level facilities, institutions are instructed to provide initial primary treatment and proper counselling before transfer — underscoring the emphasis on continuity of care.

The directive also places specific responsibilities on private hospitals and clinics, requiring them to maintain 24/7 physician presence and ensure emergency services are fully staffed. These measures reflect the government’s broader focus on maintaining public health stability during the national election and reducing disruptions to essential services.

Health officials note that patient loads can surge during election periods due to increased travel, gatherings, and associated risks. By issuing the highest health alert, Dhaka aims to bolster both preventive measures and emergency responsiveness, reassuring citizens that healthcare infrastructure will remain reliable and resilient throughout this critical democratic process.

This alert underscores Bangladesh’s dual commitment to democratic participation and public health security, ensuring that the right to medical care is upheld even amidst the logistical demands of a national election.