BHOPAL: A sudden spurt in fever and dengue among children has overwhelmed Gwalior’s Kamla Raja Hospital (KRH). There are two kids per bed, and at least one death has been reported. According to officials, 95 children are admitted to the 50-bed hospital. Some children are lying on the ground, say sources.
KRH is part of Jai Arogya Hospital (JAH) that is run under Gajra Raja Medical College. It caters not only to Gwalior but also nearby districts.
“As of now there is over 150% bed occupancy at the KRH. It’s normal to have 100% occupancy but since this is the season of viral fever and other such diseases, there is a surge,” JAH Hospital superintendent Dr RKS Dhakad told TOI.
A five-year-old girl died due to encephalitis — swelling of the brain. Doctors say she was already in a critical condition when brought in from Chhatarpur, over 250km away. “Her family was taking her to Delhi, but they brought her to KRH because her condition deteriorated. She was brain dead at the time of admission,” said Dr Dhakad.
‘Trying to increase beds for children’
Every patient who comes to the hospital is admitted and provided treatment. We are trying to increase beds for children. Our new1,000-bed building is nearly ready and a few departments will be shifted. It will free up some infrastructure. We are hopeful of shifting a few departments to the new building in less than a fortnight,” said the JAH superintendent.
“Increasing beds is easier but we also face manpower issues. It is interesting to note that while community health centres and primary health centres remain vacant, KRH remains over-burdened, primarily because people have trust in the treatment here.
“All steps are being taken to ensure appropriate treatment,” he said.
