Dengue surge exposes Civil Hospital’s healthcare system

Dengue cases in the region has reached the alarming levels, with 105 confirmed cases being reported since July. Amid the rising number of patients, the Civil Hospital is facing a barrage of complaints over inadequate facilities, unhygienic conditions and an apparent lack of care.

One patient's platelet count dropped dangerously low to 12,000 on Sunday. His family has been tirelessly searching for a Single Donor Platelet (SDP) kit, essential for his treatment, but the hospital’s blood bank has none in the stock. Private hospitals have demanded Rs 11,000 for the kit, an amount beyond the family’s means.

“We’ve been running from pillar to post for four days. There’s no support from the hospital and we’re helpless,” said his family member.

Even as the medical staff at the hospital claimed that the SDP kit issue was being addressed and would be provided free of cost, the delay has raised questions about the Health Department's preparedness. Sources revealed that despite a proposal being sent to the department over a month ago about the shortage of SDP kits, no action had been taken to supply the kits to the hospital.

Meanwhile, complaints about the hospital’s deteriorating conditions are mounting. Attendants have criticised the unclean environment, citing overflowing garbage, dirty washrooms and a lack of basic hygiene. “The washrooms are filthy and the wards are no better. Nurses and medical students visit occasionally, but no senior doctor checks on the patients. It’s as if the patients have been abandoned,” said one frustrated attendant.

Adding to their troubles, patients and their families have reported that essential medicines are often unavailable at the Civil Hospital. This forces them to purchase medicines from private pharmacies at high costs. “When the hospital can’t even provide basic medicines, how can we trust them to treat serious conditions?” asked one patient’s relative.

The hospital’s inability to process timely blood tests and provide platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has further compounded the crisis. The standard ELISA test used to confirm dengue and prepare PRP is time-consuming, causing critical delays in treatment. Thus, the hospital has raised the demand for rapid kits from the government in case of emergency cases, to ensure timely treatment.

Moreover, there are also reports of the hospital’s blood bank grappling with a shortage of platelets, particularly for groups like B positive, A negative, AB negative and O negative. Platelets expire within five days and, while regular blood donation camps have been providing relief, the daily demand of 350 units far exceeds supply.

Patients and their families have demanded immediate government intervention to improve hospital conditions, ensure the availability of critical medical supplies and medicines and hold officials accountable for the healthcare system's failures.

Meanwhile, Civil Surgeon Dr Gurmeet Lal said around 75 teams had been working tirelessly to raise awareness and provide proper treatment to dengue patients. He said the situation was under control and concerns were addressed about platelet shortages.

However, he added that the demand was being met through regular blood donation camps.

Regarding complaints about cleanliness and unavailability of medicines, Dr Lal noted that these areas fell under the purview of the Medical Superintendent, but said instructions would be issued to ensure that everything was in order.