The influx of patients forces many to undergo treatment on the DMC floor

The constant influx of patients seeking medical attention at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) is leaving many patients receiving treatment on the floor as almost all the beds are filled daily due to huge demand.

Many patients wait for treatment while in the premises of the DMC, attracted by the presence of specialist doctors and the relatively low cost of medical care.

Badsha Mia, who hails from Meherpur district, was injured in a road accident and was hospitalized on the night of October 28. He was not provided with a hospital bed because a FSU correspondent visited the hospital on November 1.

Badsha, believed to be 45 years old, was seen lying on the floor while receiving medical attention after one of his legs was broken in the road accident.

Her wife Noor Jahan said her husband was unable to find a hospital bed despite his best efforts.

She said: “We are very poor and cannot seek treatment at a private hospital. Therefore, her husband was admitted to the hospital for proper treatment.”

Abdur Rashid from Gaibandha was admitted to DMCH three days ago. As a result of a traffic accident, he suffered a head injury. He was also seen being treated on the hospital floor.

Suruj Mia from Comilla was admitted to hospital after suffering a stroke three days ago. He was not even provided with a bed, and he was treated on the hospital floor.

Her wife Renujan said: “Her husband, aged 60, was hospitalized due to a stroke. Doctors are providing her husband with the necessary treatment, but the authorities cannot yet provide a bed.”

A huge number of patients like Badsha Mia and Abdur Rashid are undergoing treatment on the hospital floor.

DMCH is touted as one of the largest hospitals with 2,600 beds in the country. But sources said more than 500 admissions, 1,300 ER visits and 5,000 OPD patients a day were leaving the hospital due to a serious problem in providing treatment.
Extreme pressure from patients often forces authorities to offer treatments, many of which remain on the floor, they added.