DMC Hospital Struggles with Surge in Dengue Patients and Facilities

Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) is currently experiencing a notable increase in the number of dengue patients seeking treatment and management facilities. As the influx grows, the hospital finds itself managing a high volume of individuals suffering from the mosquito-borne illness within its wards.

Patients and their families are navigating challenging conditions inside the facility. For instance, 21-year-old Rifat faced a severe drop in his platelet count, which fell to 80,000. In ward number 802, where an 11-year-old child named Mishal, along with Rifat, Rabeya Khatun, and Sharmin, are receiving care, the crowding has become acute.

The strain on infrastructure is clearly visible in individual units. Alauddin pointed out that each unit houses more than 40 patients, accompanied by an equal number of attendants. This means roughly 80 people must share a mere two usable washrooms, creating an environment that is completely inadequate for maintaining proper health standards.

Despite the overwhelming pressure, hospital administration maintains that care remains accessible. Mo. Asaduzzaman stated that although the influx of dengue patients has recently increased, no one seeking medical care is being turned away. He added that for effective dengue management, the hospital maintains separate dedicated wards of 40 beds each for men and women, with arrangements made for additional beds if patient numbers rise further.

Addressing medical supplies, Asaduzzaman noted that the hospital holds adequate stocks of saline, Napa, and other supportive medical supplies. He explained that antibiotics typically do not play a special role in dengue treatment, though necessary injections, including meropenem, are supplied. However, due to budget constraints, it is not possible to provide all medicines indiscriminately to every patient, meaning that in specific cases, patients may need to purchase certain medications from outside sources.