The monsoon has barely arrived, but it has already brought a deluge of diarrhoea patients in Patuakhali who have flooded the area's creaking health care facilities.

In the past one week, at least 50 patients with diarrhoea were admitted to the hospital. On Sunday, five people were admitted before noon. Several others, however, went home after taking treatment from the outdoor clinic of the hospital. New patients, afflicted with diarrhoea, are coming to the hospital every day. Owing to a crisis of beds at the 50-bed hospital many people were seen taking treatment on the balcony floor. Scenes of altercation between relatives of diarrhoea patients and hospital staff could be seen, as the authorities struggle to cope with the meagre resources. According to hospital sources, there is enough supply of medicines, along with intravenous saline.

Upazila Health Complex sources said that in the week from June 23 to June 30, 52 patients with diarrhoea have been treated in the hospital. Of those, five had to be admitted on Sunday. Most of them are elderly or children—two age groups more vulnerable to the disease, said senior staff nurse Rehana Parvin of the hospital.

Mizanur, 30, Somartoban, 40, Lalboru, 50, Rehan, 45, and Oliullah, 2, were admitted to the hospital due to diarrhoea. Besides, Junaid, 18 months, Junaid, 7, Salman, 7, and Sumaia, 3, were seen already undergoing treatment at the hospital.

It is seen, in a visit to the hospital, that patients with various diseases, including diarrhoea, undergoing treatment at the hospital. However, frequent power cuts are causing great inconvenience to patients, who are struggling to cope with the severe heat.

Ramayani of Tiakhali union of the upazila was admitted to the hospital a week ago with her three-month-old daughter, Sumaiya. She was admitted to the hospital two days back, when her daughter was found to have been infected with diarrhoea. Rehana, who is also suffering from diarrhoea, said that the pressure of patients is high. Therefore, owing to the crisis of seats at the hospital, many patients are taking treatment at the veranda of the hospital.

Rehana Parvin said that some residents of Amtali and Taltali upazilas in the adjoining areas of Kalapara upazila are coming to take treatment at the hospital. Because of this, patient pressure is more.

Doctor Chinmoy Howlader, health and family planning officer of the Upazila Health Complex, said that the number of diarrhoea patients has increased this week. Those who came were given proper treatment, he said.