Pirojpur hospital sees surge of patients

The spread of diarrhoea and other heat-related diseases has sharply increased in the district in the last few weeks, triggering a sudden influx of patients into Pirojpur District Hospital.

Due to shortage of doctors, it becomes tough to handle the huge number of patients, said Dr Nani Gopal Roy, resident medical officer of the hospital.

There are 32 doctor posts at the hospital but at present only 16 doctors are serving, he said.

During the last week, over 2,000 patients have taken treatment from outdoor daily and 1,000 patients have taken emergency service while 550 patients have been admitted to the hospital, said sources at the hospital.

Around 150 patients are being admitted at diarrhoea and children wards of the 100-bed hospital every day. Patients lie on floor of the hospital for want of beds. 

Due to scorching heat, increased viral attack causes various diseases like diarrhoea and high fever, especially to children and elderly people, said doctors at the hospital.

Every day at least 38 patients are admitted to the children ward having 19 beds only, said Shikha Rani, senior staff nurse of the hospital, adding that the situation has been going on for the last four weeks.

Meanwhile, every day over 20 patients remain admitted at the diarrhoea ward having seven beds, said another senior staff nurse Karuna Bala, adding that at least 174 patients have received treatment from the ward in the last seven days.

Tania Aker of Parerhat village in Indurkani upazila said her 18-day-old child has been attacked with high fever.

She has been staying at the hospital with her baby for the last five days, said Tania.

In unusual hot weather, the number of patients has also increased at other upazilas in the district, said Dr Roy.