In the final moments of winter, Tangail has witnessed a rise in cases of cold-related illnesses and diarrhea, with the number of patients increasing several times compared to normal times. As a result, many patients are left lying on the floor in hospitals, while others are seen sitting outside or under trees to receive treatment.
Most of these patients are from low-income families, and many have complained about not receiving the proper medical care and necessary medicines.
Authorities claim that doctors are facing difficulties in managing the excessive pressure from the surge in cases.
According to sources at Tangail General Hospital, although the intensity of the cold has decreased in recent days, various cold-related diseases, especially diarrhea, have intensified. The number of diarrhea patients, in particular, has significantly increased, leading to overcrowding at Tangail General Hospital.
The hospital's diarrhea ward, which has a capacity of 12 beds, currently has 66 patients, mostly children. In the past 24 hours, 44 new patients have been admitted.
In addition, the children's ward, which has a capacity of 13 beds, is accommodating 43 patients.
On Friday, it was observed that the authorities at the diarrhea ward were struggling to handle the overwhelming number of patients. Due to the lack of beds, some patients were receiving treatment on the floor, while others were sitting outside or under trees, with relatives administering saline drips to children.
Family members of the patients expressed their frustration, mentioning that they had no choice but to receive treatment on the floor or outside the hospital.
They also complained about the poor hospital environment, where doctors were not coming in on time, and most medicines had to be bought from outside. They demanded that the authorities address these issues.
A mother of a patient said: "I brought my son here for treatment as he has diarrhea, but there is no space inside, so we are sitting under a tree while giving him saline."
Another mother said: "The hospital's environment is extremely dirty. Even relatives are getting sick, and patients are worsening. We demand a better environment from the authorities."
Dr Sadikur Rahman, the superintendent of Tangail General Hospital, said: "Currently, the prevalence of diarrhea and cold-related diseases has increased a lot in the hospital. Due to a shortage of doctors, we are struggling to provide care to our patients.”
However, we are trying to provide proper service," he added.
