Hospital struggles to cope with child patients

Doctors at Chapainawabganj 100-bed Sadar Hospital have been struggling to cope with growing number of child patients, mostly affected with pneumonia, for the last few days.

Over 150 patients have been admitted to the children’s ward of the hospital, which has only 18 seats, in the last five days.

Of them, 145 were admitted to the hospital yesterday, said a doctor.

As the authorities concerned cannot accommodate the growing number of patients, most of them are staying on veranda and corridor of the hospital.

Besides, over 100 patients are receiving treatment at outdoor every day, said Dr Benjir Ahmed, a child specialist of the hospital.

Only two child specialists are giving treatment to the growing number of patients, said locals.

Hasina Khatun of Arunbari village in Sadar upazila said her one and a half months old daughter Ruba was admitted to the children’s ward with pneumonia on Wednesday afternoon.

As there is no seat in the ward, her daughter is now receiving treatment on the hospital’s floor, which is stinky, she said.

Doctors and nurses are struggling to deal with the increasing number of child patients, mostly attacked with pneumonia, said Dr Benjir, adding that many children were also affected with bronchitis, asthma and other cold related diseases.

The hospital saw a sharp rise in the number of child patients in the last five days due to unusually hot and humid temperature, said Benjir.

On an average 30 to 35 child patients are being admitted to the hospital every day, he said.

Civil Surgeon of Chapainawabganj Dr Jahid Nazrul Chowdhury said a number of patients is on the rise at the hospital but there is no crisis of medicine there.

Doctors and nurses are trying to deal with the increasing number of child patients, said the civil surgeon.