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managing such cases.

Citing the Private Medical College and Dental College Act-2021, the DGHS said private medical college hospitals are required to keep at least 10 percent of their beds reserved free of charge for poor patients.

The authorities have now instructed that half of those reserved beds must be allocated for measles and suspected measles patients. For example, a 250-bed hospital will have to reserve at least 12 beds for such patients, the directive said.

Hospitals were also asked to display the information prominently at emergency departments and inquiry desks.

The directive further said that only one guardian or visitor will be allowed to stay with each admitted patient.

The hospitals were also asked to send measles-related data to the DGHS headquarters through the proper channel.

Meanwhile, the authorities directed all government hospitals to ensure adequate doctors at measles wards and ensure two rounds (both morning and evening) of visit by specialist doctors daily, including on holidays.

It also reiterated that all public hospital must have separate measles wards and all such hospitals would provide treatment to measles. Not more than one attendant would be allowed in the ward, it said.

The directions come as the DGHS recorded 11 more deaths from measles and measles-like symptoms in the 24 hours ending yesterday morning. Of the 11 deaths, nine were recorded as suspected cases and two as confirmed cases.

With the latest fatalities, the total number of deaths from measles and measles-like symptoms rose to 475 since March 15. Of them, 398 were suspected measles deaths, while 77 were confirmed cases of measles.

In the previous three days, the numbers of deaths from measles and measles-like symptoms were five, six and two respectively, shows data from the DGHS.

In the last 24 hours, 73 new confirmed cases were reported, bringing the total to 7,929. The DGHS recorded 1,264 new suspected cases, bringing the total to 56,586.

During the same period, 1,115 suspected measles patients were admitted to hospitals, while 1,110 left hospitals, the DGHS said.