Bagerhat hospitals swamped as seasonal illnesses surge among children

The number of children affected with fever, cold, cough, pneumonia, and other weather-related illnesses has risen alarmingly in Bagerhat, putting immense pressure on the Bagerhat Sadar 250-Bed District Hospital and other healthcare facilities in the district.

Doctors and nurses are struggling to manage the sudden influx of patients as hospital admissions have exceeded capacity by three to four times. Due to the bed shortage, many children are receiving treatment on the floors and verandas of the paediatric ward.

Medical professionals have attributed the spike in cases to sudden changes in weather, which have led to a rise in cold-related illnesses among children. Every day, parents are bringing their sick children to the district hospital and other medical facilities across Bagerhat.

According to hospital sources, around 1,500 children received treatment at the Bagerhat Sadar 250-Bed District Hospital alone over the past week. Currently, 94 children are admitted against a capacity of only 40 beds in the paediatric ward.

Guardians of patients have alleged that they are not receiving adequate medicines from the hospital and are being forced to purchase most prescribed drugs from outside pharmacies.

Rahima Begum, who brought her one-and-a-half-year-old son Fahim from Tengrakhali village in Kachua Upazila, said her child had been suffering from a cold and cough for seven days.

"We initially consulted a local doctor, but when the fever did not subside, we admitted him to the district hospital four days ago. He is slightly better now, but we have to buy all the medicines from outside pharmacies," she said.

Mufti Bashirur Rahman of Sarankhola Upazila, who admitted his six-month-old son Sahad bin Bashir to the paediatric ward, said his child had been unwell for several days. "Doctors are available here only three days a week.

"Apart from oxygen support, we are not getting anything from the hospital. We have to buy the rest of the medicines ourselves," he alleged.

Senior Nurse Rahima Khatun at the district hospital said patient pressure has become overwhelming. "Many children are being treated on the floor and in the veranda. Despite the hardship, we are trying our best to provide necessary care.

"The supply of medicines is limited compared to the number of patients," she said.

Dr Shihan Mahmud, the hospital's senior consultant (paediatrics), said the sudden change in weather has led to a significant increase in children affected with fever, cold, cough, pneumonia, and other seasonal diseases.

He urged parents to be more cautious and take extra care of their children during this period.