STORY: Dengue devastation continues in Bangladesh, hospitals crammed with patients
DATELINE: Aug. 16, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:49
LOCATION: Dhaka
CATEGORY: HEALTH
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of patients in hospital
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Bengali): FARHANA AHMED, Doctor
3. various of patients receiving treatment
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Bengali): MD JAHANGIR ALAM, Director of Bangladesh Children's Hospital and Institute
5. various of patients in hospital
 
STORYLINE:
 
Bangladesh on Monday registered 18 more deaths from dengue.
 
This is the second highest in a 24-hour count since January, taking the toll from the disease this year to 416, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported.
 
The total number of dengue fever cases has reached 87,891 since January in the South Asian country.
 
Amid the rising dengue cases, hospitals and clinics in the capital Dhaka are crammed with dengue patients.
 
SOUNDBITE 1 (Bengali): FARHANA AHMED, Doctor
"Compared to last year's peak of the dengue outbreak season, this time we are facing more pressure because this time numerous patients are being admitted every day. I will say (the number of patients is) greater than that of last year. We are on an upward trend so far. We think that we have to handle this pressure till next month. The dengue cases are increasing day by day as the season continues. Also, we are treating dengue patients on priority in all wards, cabins and ICUs of the hospital."
 
SOUNDBITE 2 (Bengali): MD JAHANGIR ALAM, Director of Bangladesh Children's Hospital and Institute
"Changing patterns and unusual manifestations of dengue fever have been noticed. We have noticed that the dengue mosquito, Aedes mosquito, has changed its character. We've trained consultants and registered (medical) students as part of various measures so that they can treat patients perfectly. While we are usually able to provide specialized services, there is not much we can do when latecomers come to us with multi-organ failure. Most of them recover, but there are few casualties. And right now, our consultants are involved in our dengue management and I have canceled everyone's leave, no one will get any leave because of the dengue outbreak. Here we provide the service appropriately and overall, our patients are getting better."
 
From Jan. 1 to Aug. 14 this year, the DGHS said 78,044 dengue patients returned home after receiving treatment at various hospitals across the country.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Dhaka.
(XHTV)