Surging diarrhoea cases overwhelm hospitals in flood-hit areas

Three die from diarrhoea in Noakhali, while hundreds of patients are being admitted daily to Upazila health complexes and district hospitals

Water levels are beginning to recede after one of the worst floods in recent memory in eastern Bangladesh, but outbreaks of diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases, are compounding the challenges faced by flood-affected communities.

In Noakhali, three people have already died from diarrhoea, while hundreds of patients are being admitted daily to Upazila health complexes and district hospitals.

Many are recovering and returning home, but health officials report that children make up the majority of those affected.

The ongoing floods have caused the most damage in the districts of Feni, Noakhali, Cumilla, and Lakshmipur in the Chattogram division.

In some areas of these districts, people have been trapped in waterlogged conditions for the past two weeks.

With tube wells submerged, the lack of safe drinking water has led to increased cases of diarrhoea in many rural areas of the four districts.

Many people, unable to leave their homes due to the surrounding water, are resorting to initial treatments at home.

When conditions worsen, they seek admission to hospitals and Upazila health complexes.

Volunteers involved in relief and rescue efforts say official data only reflects those who have been admitted to hospitals.

Many others in remote areas remain unaccounted for, and the actual number of cases is likely much higher.

They noted that during relief distribution, many people, including those staying in shelters, were found to be suffering from diarrhoea but were not receiving proper treatment everywhere.

Only when the situation deteriorates are they heading to hospitals.

Meanwhile, the health directorates and hospitals in the four districts have reported that their medical teams are working around the clock in flood-affected areas.

They have sufficient supplies of medicine and saline.

Although hospitals are under pressure due to the high number of patients, there is no shortage of medicine or services.

TREATMENT ON STREETS AND UNDER TREES

Feni's health facilities are overwhelmed with a growing number of patients suffering from diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases such as respiratory problems, pneumonia, fever, and dysentery.

At the 250-bed General Hospital in Feni, the number of diarrhoea patients has surged far beyond capacity, forcing many to receive treatment on the hospital floors, in corridors, and even on the streets under trees.

On Wednesday, the facility was overwhelmed, managing ten times its intended patient capacity.

Patients from remote areas were treated on floors, in corridors, and outside under the open sky, as the diarrhoea ward was stretched beyond capacity.

Dr Mohammad Shihab Uddin, civil surgeon of Feni, said: "There has been an increase in diarrhoea cases along with other post-flood diseases. Patients are being admitted every day to the 250-bed General Hospital in Feni and five other Upazila health complexes in the district." As of Wednesday morning, 298 patients were admitted to the diarrhoea wards of six government hospitals in the district, with 137 new admissions in the last 24 hours.

In the Feni General Hospital's diarrhoea ward, which has 18 beds, 184 patients were admitted by morning, including 76 new cases in the last 24 hours.

The Sonagazi Upazila Health Complex reported 19 patients in the diarrhoea ward, with nine new admissions in the past 24 hours. The Chhagalnaiya Upazila Health Complex recorded 36 patients, with 15 new admissions; the Daganbhuiyan Upazila Health Complex reported 32 patients, with 17 new cases; and the Phulgazi Upazila Health Complex had 14 patients, with 12 new cases. The Parshuram Upazila Health Complex had 13 patients, with eight new admissions.

At Feni General Hospital, many children suffering from diarrhoea are being treated on mats laid out on the street and in gardens, as the hospital struggles to cope with the influx of patients. Similar scenes are visible in the children’s ward.

Hajera Akhter, who brought her daughter to the hospital from Betagaon in Feni, said: “After waiting for an hour, a nurse administered saline, but we had to lay a mat on the roadside for treatment as there was no space inside.”

Mosal Uddin, another patient's guardian, said the number of child patients is significantly higher than the ward's capacity.

“Several times more patients are receiving treatment outside under the open sky than inside the ward. Only three to four nurses are providing services, which is inadequate. We need more nurses and doctors here,” he said.

“The number of diarrhoea patients has risen sharply post-flood, making it very challenging to provide services in such a limited space. This is why many patients are being treated on the floor or outside,” said Mohammad Nazmul Hasan Sammi, Feni General Hospital’s resident medical officer.

Civil Surgeon Shihab said, as of Tuesday morning, 2,368 patients had been treated for diarrhoea in all government hospitals across the district since the floods.

Despite limited staff, doctors and nurses are determined to provide care to all patients, he added.

TEN TIMES MORE PATIENTS THAN BEDS

In the flood-affected areas of Noakhali, the number of diarrhoea cases continues to rise. Doctors and nurses at government hospitals are struggling to cope with the influx of patients, many of whom are being treated on the floor due to a lack of available beds.

Dr Masum Iftekhar, the civil surgeon of Noakhali, said 220 patients were receiving treatment at health complexes in the district’s eight Upazilas on Wednesday, while 280 patients were being treated at the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital. So far, three people have died from diarrhoea.

Syed Mohiuddin Abdul Azim, the resident medical officer, or RMO, of Noakhali General Hospital, said the hospital's diarrhoea ward, which has 16 beds, is accommodating several times more patients than its capacity. Many patients are being treated on the floor due to the shortage of beds.

"A new diarrhoea ward was urgently opened on the second floor of the hospital's under-construction building due to the lack of space in the existing ward. However, space is still insufficient, so some patients are receiving treatment on the floor," he said.

On Wednesday at 8am, relatives of the patients spoke about their experiences in the expanded diarrhoea ward of the new building at the hospital.

Shahadat Hossain, 29, from Krishnarampur village in Kadir Hanif Union has been at the hospital for four days with his son and niece.

Mohammad Al Amin, also from the same area, brought his seven-month-old son and his younger sister's one-year-old son to the hospital on Tuesday.

"There are not enough nurses or doctors, and we're not getting proper treatment," he said.

Sohel Rana, 30, from Ameerhampur village in Begumganj’s Amanullahpur Union, admitted his 11-month-old daughter on Tuesday night.

He said other children in his village were also suffering from diarrhoea. Initially, they were treated at home, but when their condition did not improve, they decided to come to the hospital.

Yasmin Akter, 20, from Shantirhat Banglabazar in Anderchar Union has been admitted for three days with dehydration.

"There is water all around our house, and people are struggling to move around. Many are sick but cannot leave their homes," she said.

Sayedul Haque, 70, from Begumganj’s Purbo Hajipur, initially received treatment at a private hospital in Chaumuhani for two days but was admitted to Noakhali General Hospital on Tuesday night when his condition did not improve.

His relatives shared that Sayedul fell ill with diarrhoea at his village home during the flood.

Initially, he was not too sick, so he was treated locally.

However, his condition worsened, prompting his transfer to the General Hospital.

Fatema Begum from the district’s Anantapur brought her one-year-old son to the hospital on Tuesday night.

"Since arriving, the nurse has been administering saline, and he's starting to feel a little better," she said.

Mohammad Hanif from Monpura, who has been at the hospital for four days with his 11-month-old grandson, expressed similar sentiments.

Tahidur Rahman from Kabirhat’s Amarpur said he had been treating his nine-month-old child at home for five days but was reluctant to go to the hospital due to flooding.

"Seeing the child's worsening condition, I finally brought him to the hospital last night. There are many patients here, and we are receiving treatment on the floor," he said.

PATIENT SURGE IN THREE UPAZILAS OF CUMILLA

Flood-affected Upazila health complexes in Cumilla are experiencing a surge in patients suffering from diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases.

However, officials at the District Civil Surgeon’s Office have said there is no reason for panic, as the overall situation in Cumilla remains manageable.

Cumilla Deputy Civil Surgeon Muhammad Nazmul Alam said on Wednesday afternoon that 977 people have been admitted to hospitals in the district’s 17 Upazilas for diarrhoea since Aug 21. Among them, 81 diarrhoea patients received treatment in the past 24 hours.

The number of patients suffering from diarrhoea and skin diseases has slightly increased as floodwaters recede.

"There is no cause for panic. Every Upazila health complex is well-stocked with medicines and saline," he added.

Nazmul said 225 medical teams are active across flood-hit areas, including shelters. People are being advised to seek treatment promptly if they fall ill.

He said while 14 Upazilas in Cumilla are affected by floods, four Upazilas — Chauddagram, Monohorganj, Nangalkot, and Laksam — have a higher number of diarrhoea cases.

Despite the severe flooding, the situation is still under control.

"People must remain aware, consume safe food and clean water, and consult doctors if they fall sick," he said.

Chauddagram Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Md Golam Kibria Tipu said the number of waterborne disease patients is rising as floodwaters recede.

"Currently, 15 diarrhoea patients are admitted to our hospital. Eight to ten diarrhoea patients are admitted daily," he said.

Medical teams are working to raise awareness among the flood-affected people.

“Most areas in Monohorganj are still flooded, and the number of waterborne disease cases is increasing. Patients with skin infections and foot rot are also common.” She added that, on average, 10 diarrhoea patients are admitted daily. “We have enough medicine and oral saline, and patients are recovering well,” said Aklima Jahan, a residential medical officer at Monohorganj Upazila Health Complex.

Nangalkot Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Debdas Deb said the number of diarrhoea cases in the area has not significantly increased, with only two to three cases reported daily, which is consistent with pre-flood levels.

Deb added: "We have been working since the beginning of the flood to raise awareness, which has helped limit the spread of the disease. Medical teams have been deployed in all shelters and flood-affected areas since the flood started."

“People are being provided with adequate water purification tablets, and we have sufficient stocks of medicines and oral saline. Overall, our situation is better than in other Upazilas.”

76 CHILDREN AMONG 107 PATIENTS

The devastating floods in Lakshmipur have led to an alarming rise in diarrhoea cases, with 905 people affected so far.

The number of cases has increased since Jul 22, with 118 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, according to District Civil Surgeon Ahmedul Karim.

At the Lakshmipur 100-bed General Hospital, most of the diarrhoea patients are from flood-affected areas, with many coming in from local shelters.

The diarrhoea ward, which has a capacity of just 10 beds, is currently accommodating 107 patients, 76 of whom are children.

A resident, Ashia Khatun, has been at the hospital for several days with her seven-year-old son, Md Arman, who is suffering from diarrhoea.

"We were trapped in floodwaters," she said.

"Our house was submerged, and our tube well was underwater. We faced a drinking water crisis, relying on bottled water from relief efforts. Despite cooking at home, my son still got infected."

In the Krishnapur area of Sadar Upazila, Jahir Uddin, 51, said his home is still flooded with waist-deep water.

He has been living with his family in a nearby school shelter for 12 days.

He was diagnosed with diarrhoea on Tuesday and admitted to the hospital.

Arup Pal, the hospital's resident medical officer, said: "We are treating 107 patients in a ward meant for 10. The hospital, designed for 100 beds, currently has 380 patients. We are struggling to manage."

Health officials urge flood-affected residents to remain vigilant, maintain hygiene, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms occur.