About eighty children affected with pneumonia are receiving treatment in Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital at present. As the number of pneumonia infected patients is increasing, it is becoming very difficult for the lone child specialist of the hospital to provide proper healthcare services. Hospital sources said there are only eight beds in the child ward of the hospital, but the number of patients receiving treatment is almost 80. As the number of patients is much more in proportion to seats, many of the patients have to receive treatment staying in the hospital verandas and corridors. Moreover, almost 300 patients are receiving treatment daily from emergency and outdoors, which is almost impossible for only one doctor to handle.

Child specialist of Jhenidah Sadar Hospital Dr Anwarul Islam said because of seasonal change children are being affected with pneumonia as they are vulnerable to cold related diseases. Moreover, the children are getting affected with other diseases as they are staying on floor or overcrowded verandas. “However, we are trying to bring the situation under control,” he added.

Kalam Mia of Harinakundo upazila said he admitted his child to the hospital seven days ago. There are not sufficient radiant wormer machines, phototherapy machines and oxygen cylinders.

Mina Khatn of Chutlia village in Sadar upazila said they are panicked about the quick spreading of pneumonia in the district.