Eighteen-month-old Irina has been suffering from diarrhea for five days.
Despite three days of home treatment, her mother, Israt Jahan is distressed as even after refraining from giving her daughter any outside food, Irina's condition worsened with more than 10 bowel movements a day.
Eventually, Israt admitted her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) without any alternatives, puzzled about the cause of the illness.
Another couple, Md Rafiqul Islam and Hafsa Sultana's four-month-old son Ayman is in critical condition at DMC's infant ward.
Ayman is battling cold, cough, fever, malnutrition, and a skin disease. Although the doctor suggests placing him in the ICU for better care, there are no available ICU beds, leaving Ayman with six litres of oxygen per minute.
With the onset of winter in the country, DMCH, a tertiary medical facility, is witnessing a surge in children suffering from seasonal diseases.
The overcrowded conditions in the hospital depict a grim situation, with two to four patients occupying each seat, and even the floor lacks space for additional patients.
Authorities express concern over the increased prevalence of seasonal diseases among children during this period, emphasizing the heightened risk of pneumonia, a leading cause of death in children under five.
The shortage of ICU facilities contributes to the alarming statistic of 22 to 25 child deaths annually.
To address this issue, medical experts advocate for practices such as breastfeeding, completing prescribed vaccinations, and maintaining cleanliness to enhance child health.
Shortage of capacity
The overcrowded children's ward illustrates the magnitude of the problem, with parents like Asma Akhter, whose son initially had diarrhea and later developed a cough and fever. Despite the improvement in her son's condition, the challenges persist.
Dr Afroza Sultana, a duty doctor, highlighted the prevalence of malnutrition cases, often exacerbated by improper feeding practices.
Prof Lutfon Nessa, in charge of Unit 2 of the children ward, reveals that 500-700 child patients seek treatment daily at DMCH, with cold, cough, fever, diarrhea, and skin diseases being the predominant ailments.
The surge in patients from remote areas strains the hospital's capacity, forcing some to be placed on the floor and balcony.
Unit 2 currently accommodates 56 patients in 19 seats, with 10% in serious condition.
The hospital's 20 NICU beds are all occupied, with an additional 8-10 patients on the waiting list.
NICU Assistant Registrar Dr Farzina Islam said there are many patients with severe condition admitted to the hospital daily, especially those coming from different parts of the country.
Hospital Director Brigadier General Nazmul Haque emphasized the need for increased parental awareness during seasonal changes and advocates for exclusive breastfeeding up to six months.
He said that NICU and PICU facilities are very inadequate in the country. “We have limitations in treating so many patients in an appropriate environment, so we need to increase access to treatment and awareness initiatives to address the growing healthcare challenges.”
nts in an appropriate environment, so we need to increase access to treatment and awareness initiatives to address the growing healthcare challenges.”
