Hospitals in Dhaka and elsewhere are struggling to accommodate a growing number of dengue patients, with some facilities treating patients on floors and verandas as available beds fill up.
At Mugda General Hospital in Dhaka, 145 dengue patients were receiving treatment in a ward with just 38 beds on Thursday, highlighting the pressure on hospital capacity as dengue infections continue to rise.
Doctors and nurses said the growing number of patients is making it increasingly difficult to ensure regular monitoring, administer medicines and provide emergency services.
Experts have warned that the dengue situation could worsen further in October.
According to the Directorate General of Health Services’ Health Emergency Operation Centre and Control Room bulletin, 747 dengue patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in the 24 hours until 8am on Friday. No dengue deaths were reported during the period.
From January 1 to Friday, 59,147 people have been hospitalized with dengue and 176 have died. Of the deaths, 79 were recorded in the first 18 days of September alone.
Patients treated on floors and verandas
During a visit to the dengue ward of Mugda General Hospital, this correspondent found every designated bed occupied. Some additional patients were receiving treatment on the floor and others on the veranda, while in some places more than one patient was being accommodated in a single bed.
Afrin Akter, from Narayanganj, was receiving treatment on the floor of the dengue ward. She was too weak to speak properly and was vomiting intermittently while a nurse administered saline.
Her mother, who was beside her, said Afrin had been suffering from fever and body aches for several days. After her condition failed to improve despite taking medicine locally, they sought admission at several hospitals.
After failing to secure admission anywhere, they came to Mugda General Hospital. Even there, they found no vacant bed, and Afrin had to be admitted and treated on the floor.
Nurses on duty said the increasing number of patients was putting additional pressure on doctors and nurses, who have to ensure regular monitoring, administer medicines and provide emergency services.
Nasima, sub-in-charge of the hospital, said new patients were arriving every day from Dhaka and districts outside the capital.
She said 145 patients were currently receiving treatment in the ward, against its capacity of 38 beds.
“Due to the bed shortage, patients are being admitted to the floor and veranda out of necessity,” she said.
Many patients reach the hospital in critical condition, she said, adding that there is a greater possibility of a quick recovery if treatment begins at an early stage.
Dr Nurul Islam, deputy director of Mugda General Hospital, said patient pressure had increased with the rise in dengue cases.
“At present, services are being continued with the existing doctors and nurses, but additional beds and manpower are needed to handle the situation,” he said.
“All the patients who are coming here are being admitted and provided treatment. Instructions have been given to every ward to provide proper treatment.”
Cases rising outside Dhaka
Of the 747 patients admitted in the last 24 hours, 180 were admitted in Chittagong division, 216 outside the city corporations of Dhaka division, 61 in Dhaka North City and 40 in Dhaka South, according to DGHS data.
Another 81 patients were admitted in Khulna, 92 in Mymensingh, 52 in Rangpur and 25 in Barisal.
So far, 54,838 dengue patients have been discharged from hospitals after treatment.
August recorded the highest number of dengue cases this year, with 20,536 people infected and 43 deaths reported during the month.
October risk
Entomologist Professor Kabirul Bashar said forecast models indicate that the dengue situation in Bangladesh could worsen further in October.
Although Aedes mosquitoes become comparatively less visible as winter approaches, they should not be neglected, he said.
Referring to Bangladesh as a “country of mosquitoes,” Kabirul Bashar said the number of dengue patients is increasing compared to previous years and that the situation could become more severe in the coming days.
He stressed the need to raise public awareness about Aedes mosquito behavior and strengthen effective mosquito-control measures to contain dengue.
DGHS Director General Professor Dr Prabhat Chandra Biswas said patients would be sent to private hospitals for treatment if the capacity of government hospitals is exceeded, if necessary to ensure medical care.
He said hospitals had been instructed to increase the number of beds in response to the growing patient pressure.
At the same time, initiatives have been taken to strengthen treatment facilities not only in Dhaka but also at the district and upazila levels in dengue-prone areas so that patients can receive services locally, he said.
Public health expert Dr Mushtak Hossain said long-term plans must be adopted to control dengue alongside treating patients in hospitals.
“The long-term effective solution is to destroy the breeding grounds of Aedes mosquitoes,” he said.
Regular mosquito control, increased public awareness and arrangements for early detection and treatment of patients at the local level should be the main strategies for tackling dengue, he said.
Adequate treatment facilities must be ensured in Dhaka as well as in districts and upazilas outside the capital, he added.