The dengue situation in Pirojpur remains out of control, with the district recording the highest number of infections among all districts in the Barishal division this year.
Until 7 September, a total of 1,965 dengue patients have been admitted to various government hospitals in the district, according to health department data.
Neighbouring Jhalakathi district ranks second in the division in terms of infections. Health officials said one person has died of dengue in the district so far.
According to the latest report of the health department on 7 September, 25 new dengue patients were admitted to the Pirojpur district general hospital and upazila health complexes in the past 24 hours. Currently, 85 patients are undergoing treatment at the district hospital and different upazila health complexes.
Of them, 35 patients are receiving treatment at Pirojpur district hospital, 13 at Nazirpur, 12 at Nesarabad, five at Kaukhali, 15 at Bhandaria and five at Mathbaria upazila health complexes.
However, no dengue patients are currently admitted to the Zianagar Upazila Health Complex.
So far, 1,879 patients have recovered after receiving treatment and have been discharged from hospitals.
Hospital-based statistics for this year show that Pirojpur district hospital has treated the highest number of patients, with 854 dengue cases. Besides, 363 patients received treatment at Bhandaria, 319 at Nesarabad, 134 at Nazirpur, 125 at Kaukhali and 84 at Mathbaria upazila hospitals.
The rising number of patients has created an acute shortage of beds and space at Pirojpur district hospital. Due to the lack of adequate beds, dengue patients are being treated on floors near general patients, causing serious concern among patients and their relatives.
Marufa Akter, a patient undergoing treatment at the hospital, said, “I have been admitted to the hospital for the past three to four days after becoming seriously ill. Severe physical weakness, fatigue and nausea have not improved. Although I have been given medicines, I still do not feel better. With such a large number of patients, it has become difficult to get proper space and services at the hospital.”
During a visit, it was found that many dengue patients were not using mosquito nets properly. A nurse responsible for the ward said many patients remove their mosquito nets despite repeated reminders due to a lack of awareness.
However, Pirojpur General Hospital’s Resident Medical Officer Dr Md Nizam Uddin said the hospital was providing adequate services.
“On average, 30 to 40 dengue patients remain admitted to our hospital every day. Currently, 35 patients are undergoing treatment. We have sufficient stocks of NS1 kits required for dengue tests, medicines and other medical supplies. There is no shortage in treatment facilities. Doctors, nurses and health workers are providing round-the-clock services,” he said.
Meanwhile, a team from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) recently conducted a field investigation to assess the dengue situation in Pirojpur.
Pirojpur Civil Surgeon Dr Md Matiur Rahman said the IEDCR investigation report found large numbers of Aedes mosquito larvae in stagnant water accumulated at the bases of cut betel nut and coconut trees, coconut shells, building rooftops, under-construction buildings, local drains and nursery pots.
The civil surgeon also said adequate stocks of medicines, saline and antigen kits for free testing were available at the district hospital and upazila health complexes. He added that free government treatment was being ensured for dengue patients.
Local municipality and district council authorities said they had intensified preventive measures to control dengue.
Pirojpur Municipality Sub-Assistant Engineer Md Mehedi Hasan said regular spraying was being carried out in drains and canals to destroy mosquito larvae, alongside awareness campaigns.
Pirojpur District Council Administrator Principal Alamgir Hossain said cleaning activities were being conducted at ponds, ditches and drains, while awareness programmes on dengue prevention were being arranged at educational institutions across the district.
The district health department has urged people to keep their surroundings clean, remove stagnant water and use mosquito nets while sleeping during both daytime and night-time to prevent dengue.
