In the wake of recent floods, hospitals in Feni district are grappling with a healthcare crisis as waterborne diseases spread rapidly. Overwhelmed by a surge in patients, the district's hospitals are operating at ten times their capacity, forcing many patients to seek treatment on floors, in corridors, and even under trees outside the hospital buildings, reports UNB.
A recent visit to Feni Sadar Hospital revealed dire conditions, with patients occupying every available space, from verandas and staircases to makeshift beds set up under the open sky. The diarrhea ward, designed to hold 17 patients, currently houses 176.
Similarly, another ward with a capacity of 21 is now caring for 80 patients. In the children's ward, 136 young patients are being treated in a space meant for just 26. The situation is so severe that many patients, primarily children, are being treated outdoors due to the lack of indoor facilities.
According to the Civil Surgeon’s Office, over 47,930 people have sought medical treatment in Feni's seven hospitals since the floods. In the past 24 hours alone, 10,754 people have received care, with 498 cases of diarrhea and 225 snakebite victims among them. The district's upazilas are similarly overwhelmed, with hundreds of patients in each, including 790 outpatient cases at Feni Sadar Hospital.
To manage the overwhelming patient load, a temporary diarrhea ward with 21 additional beds has been established, said Dr Mohammad Nazmul Hasan Sammi, resident medical officer of Feni General Hospital. However, the situation remains critical, and the hospital has requested further assistance from higher authorities. He emphasised that setting up field hospitals could significantly improve healthcare delivery during this crisis.
Feni Civil Surgeon Dr Shihab Uddin echoed these concerns, noting that the district has brought in additional medical personnel, including seven military doctors from Chattogram and specialists from a nearby chest disease hospital. Despite these efforts, the sheer number of patients is straining resources.
"We are running out of medicines, and even our pathological testing facilities are closed," Shihab said. "Still, we are doing our best to provide round-the-clock care."
Feni Deputy Commissioner Musammat Shahina Akhter added that five government medical camps and 22 mobile teams are operational across the district. Additionally, private organizations have set up temporary medical camps at various locations, with eight military and 13 civilian teams providing vital support.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life and to ensure that all patients receive the care they desperately need.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
