Govt extends free dengue NS1 tests at public hospitals until 31 Dec

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has extended free NS1 testing for dengue at all government hospitals until 31 December 2026, as the country continues to see a rise in dengue infections.

The decision was announced in a notification, signed by Deputy Secretary Kazi Sharif Uddin Ahmed, issued yesterday (5 July) by the Health Services Division's Government Health Management-1 Branch.

According to the notification, the extension follows a directive issued by the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance on 2 July. Government hospitals have been instructed to take the necessary measures to ensure NS1 tests for dengue diagnosis remain free until the end of the year.

The government first waived NS1 test fees at public hospitals in September last year in response to a surge in dengue cases.

Before that, government hospitals charged Tk50 for the test, while private hospitals charged Tk300.

Dr Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan, director (Hospital and Clinic) at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said the initiative is intended to encourage people to seek testing as soon as they develop a fever.

"If dengue tests are provided free of charge, more people will be encouraged to get tested early. Early diagnosis allows treatment to begin sooner, improving patient outcomes and helping reduce deaths," he told The Business Standard.

He said the government had introduced free testing during last year's dengue surge for the same reason and decided to continue the measure as cases increase again this year.

According to the DGHS, 239 people were hospitalised with dengue in the 24 hours preceding yesterday's update. So far this year, 7,110 people have contracted the mosquito-borne disease and 19 have died.

DGHS data show that Bangladesh recorded 102,861 dengue cases and 413 deaths in 2025.

In 2024, the country reported 101,214 dengue infections and 575 dengue-related deaths.