'Almost three quarters of the more than 90,000 beds at private hospitals are empty'

Fewer people have been going to hospitals - both state-run and private - since the government enforced shutdown began to reduce the spread of Covid-19.

Only those with severe illnesses are ready to go to hospitals, while others are dissuaded by a lack of transport and the fear of catching Covid-19, healthcare providers said.

Furthermore, hospitals are also discouraging people from getting admitted unless they suffer from serious conditions, they added.

Because of these factors, the number of people getting admitted to hospitals is less than half of what it was before the lockdown, according to hospital authorities.

In conversation with Dhaka Tribune, Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital (ShSMCH) Director Uttam Kumar Barua said they are providing regular treatment to admitted patients, while outdoor services are also available. 

“The number of patients declined after the shutdown was enforced,” he said. 

However, patients are rushing to dedicated hospitals for coronavirus treatment in Dhaka. So far, eight hospitals have been dedicated for Covid-19 treatment in the city. 

Dr MM Aktaruzzaman, senior scientific officer of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research (IEDCR), said a rumour that people may get infected with Covid-19 if they visit hospitals or come in contact with doctors is spreading on social networking sites, which is leading to fewer patients in general. 

Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) Director, Brig.Gen AKM Nasir Uddin, said there are a huge number of patients at the public hospital, but they are not overburdened. 

Dr AM Shamim, managing director of LabAid Group, recently told Dhaka Tribune that private hospitals have been seeing a sharp decline in the number of patients coming in for treatment. 

“Almost three quarters of the more than 90,000 beds at private hospitals across Bangladesh are empty, as patients are not coming,” said Dr Shamim. 

The situation is similar outside Dhaka, with the number of patients at both public and privately-run hospitals of Chittagong showing a downward trend over the past few weeks amidst the coronavirus situation.

Usually, the number of admitted patients hovers at around 3,000 at Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH), with around 600 more patients receiving treatment from the outpatient department of the hospital. Both numbers have dropped recently.

Imamul Haque, manager of privately-run Surgiscope Hospital Ltd, told Dhaka Tribune they were struggling to survive as the number of patients continues to plummet.

“Normally, around 50 patients are admitted, but now it has fallen to just six. We are in a tight spot, as people are gripped by fear and panic,” he said.

Yousuf Chowdhury, manager of Al Amin Hospital, said the number of patients there had fallen by 75%.

Similar drops in patient numbers are evident in Rajshahi, Khulna, and other districts of the country.

Rajshahi Medical College Hospital Deputy Director Saiful Ferdous Ataturk said people are in a panic and only coming to the hospital for emergencies. Otherwise, they pick up medicine from pharmacies.

He added they are providing services under good management at the hospital, so there is no need to be afraid.

Puthia Upazila Health Officer Nazma Nahar said: “We are providing hotline services to avoid overcrowding. As a result, people are not coming unless it is urgent. We are always prepared to receive any kind of emergency case.

“We have 12 physicians on the roster, including consultants, medical officers, and medical assistants,” she added.

Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) Principal Dr Abdul Ahad said: “We are working without any hazards, so far. There are plenty of patients, but the situation is under control. The usual flu patients are not coming for treatment as much.”

Flu patients are getting treatment from the flu corner or calling on the hotline, he added.

Anwar Hussain from Chittagong, Dulal Abdullah from Rajshahi, and Hedayet Hossain from Khulna, also contributed to this report.

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