Rangpur:A critical situation is unfolding at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where a severe shortage of beds in the children's wards is forcing young patients to share beds and even sleep on the floor.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the hospital's pediatric department has a capacity of 86 beds, yet it regularly accommodates between 260 and 300 patients daily. This overcrowding endangers patient care, exacerbating issues like the spread of infectious diseases such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Despite the completion of a modern 100-bed children's hospital nearby nearly seven years ago, it remains underutilized due to a lack of staff and equipment.
Hospital data reveals that in September, 59 children died, although none of the deaths were attributed to measles. The hospital is operating with only about 50 nurses against an approved strength of 150. Dr. ANM Tanvir Chowdhury, an assistant professor at the hospital, noted the severe overcrowding and its impact on staff and infection risks.
Parents of young patients expressed their frustration and worry over the lack of space and resources. Sumi Akter, from Kurigram, shared her experience of her baby spending three nights on the floor before sharing a bed with three others. Mamata Begum from Rangpur Sadar has also struggled to find adequate care for her child during their week-long stay.
The inadequate number of phototherapy machines poses additional challenges, with some newborns having to share a single device, raising concerns about infections. Ismail Hossain from Gaibandha recounted his month-long stay at the hospital with his newborn, who had to share phototherapy treatment with another baby.
Efforts to alleviate the burden on Rangpur Medical College Hospital hinge on the full operation of the new 100-bed facility. The hospital's development remains stalled, with a proposal for 659 staff submitted to the Health Ministry in June 2023. While some furniture has arrived, the timeline for staffing and equipping the facility remains uncertain, according to Dr. Wazed Ali, deputy director of the divisional health directorate. Dr. Tanvir emphasized that operationalizing the new hospital could significantly reduce the patient load at Rangpur Medical College Hospital.