Khulna is grappling with a worsening health crisis as scorching temperatures persist, causing a surge in patients across the region’s hospitals.
Critical healthcare centers like Khulna Medical College Hospital, Khulna Sadar Hospital, Khulna Children’s Hospital, and Khulna Infectious Disease Hospital are inundated, with patients occupying every available space, including corridors and stairwells, due to a shortage of beds.
The situation is especially dire at the government-run Khulna Infectious Disease Hospital in Mirerdanga, where cases of diarrheal illnesses have spiked alarmingly. Despite having medicine and saline in stock, the hospital is facing a severe shortage of medical staff, exacerbating the strain on its infrastructure.
Since the beginning of the month, there has been a significant increase in cases of vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. As of April 24, over 350 diarrheal patients have been admitted, with an additional 10 to 15 seeking outpatient care daily. Efforts have been made to expand the number of beds, but the hospital still lacks separate wards and cabins for patients.
At Khulna Children’s Hospital, the situation is equally dire, with patient numbers doubling in the past week. Despite having 275 beds, the hospital is struggling to accommodate the influx of children suffering from various ailments.
One distressed father, Rahim Sheikh, recounted his ordeal of waiting for hours with his daughter Anika, who was suffering from diarrhea. The director of Khulna Medical College Hospital, Dr. Husain Shafayat, echoed the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the hospital was operating at triple its capacity.
With the heatwave showing no signs of abating, Khulna’s healthcare facilities urgently need additional resources and support to cope with the escalating patient load.
