145 Child Patients in a 22-Bed Ward: Treatment Spills onto the Veranda at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital

The children’s ward at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital has only 22 beds, yet 145 child patients are admitted — nearly seven times its capacity. With no room even on the floor, many children are being treated on beds laid out on the veranda. A seasonal rise in colds and coughs, pneumonia, diarrhoea and measles has pushed patient pressure at the hospital to an extraordinary level.

Around noon on Monday, on the first floor of the hospital building, children could be seen receiving treatment on beds spread across the veranda, with anxious relatives sitting beside them. They said that, finding no space inside the ward, they had no choice but to stay on the veranda with their children.

According to the hospital authorities, 20 of the admitted children have come in with measles symptoms, while the others are suffering from fever, colds and coughs, pneumonia and diarrhoea. With admissions running at nearly seven times capacity, patients and relatives are facing severe hardship, while doctors and nurses are struggling to cope with the pressure.

Hospital figures show that between 13 and 19 October — a span of seven days — 27 children were newly admitted with measles symptoms. In the same period, 241 children were newly admitted to the children’s ward with fever, colds, coughs and other illnesses, and 1,792 children received treatment at the outpatient department. Between 35 and 40 new children are being admitted to the ward every day.

Doctors say the seasonal change is behind the rise in colds, coughs, pneumonia and diarrhoea among children, as swings between daytime and nighttime temperatures make them fall ill easily. Their greatest concern, however, is the growing spread of measles.

Asadur Rahman Malik Khokon, consultant for children at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital, said: “The weather is changing now. Because of the difference between day and night temperatures, children are falling sick. At this time of year, children tend to suffer more from colds and coughs, pneumonia, measles and diarrhoea. Besides, 20 children are currently admitted with measles symptoms, which is worrying.”

Rukaiya, the mother of two-and-a-half-year-old Sara, admitted to the ward, said: “I have been admitted at Sadar Hospital with my daughter for four days. My daughter has measles. But she is doing better now. We plan to take the discharge papers and go home today (Monday).” Like her, many parents are waiting day after day at the hospital for their children to recover.

The hospital’s resident medical officer, Farhana Wahid Tani, said: “Measles patients have increased in Chuadanga just as they have across the country. On top of that, children are being admitted with cold-related illnesses because of the changing weather. We are trying our utmost to ensure proper treatment for the patients and an adequate supply of medicines. At present we have sufficient medicine in stock.”

She also pointed to the limitations. Farhana Wahid Tani said: “Our manpower is very limited. There is also a lack of awareness among people. Measles is a contagious disease. So one must try to avoid contact with an infected patient.”

Doctors advise keeping children protected from the cold this season, bringing them to hospital without delay if measles symptoms appear, and keeping an infected child separated from others. Despite the pressure, the hospital’s doctors and nurses are continuing to serve the children with limited staff — but those involved fear the situation could become even harder if the pressure persists.