DMCH sees surge of patients
Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) experiences an influx of treatment seekers during the Eid holidays. The picture was taken from the ward number 14 yesterday.Photo: STAR
Though almost all private and public hospitals in the capital saw a minimum rush of patients during the Eid holidays, Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) on the other hand experienced an influx of treatment seekers. The Eid holidays left an impact on both patients and health professionals, resulting in a sharp cut in the number of patients. A significant number of doctors and nurses also went on leave to celebrate the Eid, the largest festival of the Muslims. Many hospitals did not admit critical patients due to the holidays and leave. They rather referred them to DMCH, causing a surge of patients there, said Director of the hospital Brig Gen Shahidul Haque Mallik. The director added though comparatively fewer patients were admitted to the hospital in the last few days, the number was much higher than that of any other hospitals. According to the DMCH authorities, the numbers of patients admitted to the hospital on Eid day and the day before were 1,064 and 1,131 respectively against the average daily admission of 2,200. "As 40 percent of our 1,600 doctors have been on leave for the Eid, we are struggling to handle the patients," said Dr Mallik. He added the hospital saw 138 operations on Eid day and they are trying their best to provide proper services. However, many of the patients were not happy with the services they have been receiving at DMCH. Enamul Haque, 15, was found lying on the corridor in front of the neurology department. "The boy was brought from Noakhali and admitted just before the Eid. But he has yet to get a bed. Not a single doctor visited him on the Eid day or afterwards. Though the nurses are working, they are coming once a day to provide the medicines," complained Enamul's uncle Kamal Uddin while fanning his patient with a hand fan. During a visit to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR), popularly known as Pongu Hospital, it was found that a significant number of beds were vacant there. Managing a bed at the country's largest orthopaedic hospital is normally a very tough task. Patients at NITOR also alleged of an insignificant number of doctors and nurses. Abdun Noor, 60, of IJ Ward was admitted to the hospital 15 days ago due to his road accident injuries. He told The Daily Star that after four days the brother came to him for dressing though he was supposed to have it on alternate days. At the emergency department only one doctor was found trying to attend some 13 patients. Shahidul Islam, 50, another victim of road accident who came from Dhamrai, was bleeding as his left hand was broken. He complained that he was waiting for 40 minutes but no-one came to him as only one doctor was struggling to serve the patients. The same situation was found at the Suhrawardi Hospital, Mitford Hospital, National Institute of Kidney Diseases and Urology and National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. Many beds were found vacant at these usually overcrowded hospitals. Though the outdoor was open at all the hospitals yesterday, the number of patients was apparently thin. The outdoor of the National Institute of Mental Health was closed by 11:00am. Asked, one of the staff said only four to five patients came and they closed the outdoor after giving them treatment. The authorities of CARE hospital said they are receiving only the critical patients. "On average, 55 patients show up every day. But now we have only 30 and on Eid day the number was only 25," said the information desk.
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