The number of children being admitted with suspected measles symptoms is rising in Kutubdia, while the upazila health complex is struggling to accommodate patients due to a shortage of isolation facilities and beds.
The hospital has only one isolation room with two beds, but it is currently treating four children. Another six children with suspected measles symptoms have been placed in the general ward and on the floor.
On Thursday night, Mohammad Ataullah of Hazaripara in Lemshikhali admitted his two children, Oli Ullah, 11 months, and Habib Ullah, 3, to the hospital with symptoms of measles.
“The two children have been given space on the floor. We are suffering a lot,” he said.
Atik Ullah, a resident of Lemshikhali, said the number of patients admitted to the hospital was almost three times its bed capacity.
“There are far more patients than beds. Extra patients have to stay on the floor and in the corridors. It is very difficult to receive treatment in such crowded conditions,” he said.
Laki Kona Teresa Bhuiya, a nurse at the hospital, said the number of children arriving with suspected measles symptoms was increasing.
“There is only one isolation room with two beds, but four children are currently admitted there. Another six children have had to be accommodated in the general ward and on the floor,” she said.
She said the hospital currently had around 60 patients, including those with other illnesses, against its 22 beds.
“This is also putting healthcare workers at risk,” she said.
Dr Golam Maruf, upazila health and family planning officer, said the hospital was already facing heavy pressure from patients with other illnesses.
“Nearly three times as many patients as the available number of beds are admitted here. As a result, it is not possible to provide separate and adequate care for children arriving with suspected measles symptoms,” he said.
He said the bed shortage was largely due to inadequate hospital infrastructure.
“Unless we get a separate building, it will be difficult to accommodate patients with suspected measles. Currently, we do not have many alternatives,” he said.
Hospital authorities said a separate isolation facility and additional beds were urgently needed as the number of children with suspected measles symptoms continued to rise.
Cox’s Bazar Life Repot
Photo: Collected
