KOZHIKODE: The surge in dengue cases in the district have led to a serious space crunch in the government hospital. Although a large number of patients are coming every day, the hospital is yet to think about an exclusive fever ward, which has already been started at Government MCH’s in Thiruvananthapuram and Thirissur. Battling to provide treatment to the increasing number of patients pouring in, they are asked to share beds with others who are admitted with Dengue fever.
Even the hospital verandas are packed with patients for the last one week. On an average, 150 people suspected to have dengue fever have been admitted. This crisis has showed up the shortage of staff at the hospital, including doctors to manage the casualty. “We are treating critically ill patients suffering from dengue who are on stretchers. We have no other option. The ICUs are full and we can't transfer them to other hospitals as their conditions are critical,” said a senior doctor at the MCH. He added that the state’s Medical Department should take immediate action to meet this crisis.
The hospital development committee members on Friday raised the issue before the hospital in-charge, including principal, seeking the appointment of more staff. The committee also urged the health department to send a special team to take stock of the existing staff strength in the hospital, especially nursing and nursing assistants. Mr V.C. Sethumadhavan, committee president, said that the hospital could not take care of patients in a serious condition. Meanwhile, the District administration has started cleaning drives at places like Kurachund, Balussery, Thiruvamb-adi, Perambra and Thamarassery where the highest number of Dengue cases has been reported so far. It is also distributing pamphlets on Dengue fever. In addition, health workers have asked patients with symptoms of fever, cough and cold to consult doctors immediately.
