Jamshedpur: A sharp rise in seasonal illness amid rainfall and fluctuating weather conditions has led all 823 beds at the govt-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH) in Jamshedpur to be occupied, forcing other patients to be initially treated on stretchers, wheelchairs and even on the floor.Hospital authorities on Friday said a surge in viral fever cases has put unprecedented pressure on the emergency ward and outpatient department (OPD). Of the more than 8,000 patients who sought treatment at the hospital between July 11 and July 17, nearly 40% of daily OPD visitors were suffering from viral fever.Several patients are now waiting for hours in the emergency ward before being shifted to beds.“My uncle was shifted to a bed in the morning. On Thursday, he was administered an IV drip while lying on a bench,” said Rakesh Kumar, a relative of a patient admitted to the medicine ward.Hospital superintendent Dr Balram Jha said the emergency ward, which has 30 beds, is struggling to cope with the influx of seasonal fever cases.“Due to the surge in patients, the numbers arriving at the emergency department have exceeded its capacity. We have arranged an additional 40 beds in the corridor,” Jha said.Hospital officials said the medicine department is receiving the maximum patient load as cases of malaria, diarrhoea, jaundice and viral fever continue to rise.District surveillance officer Dr Asad earlier attributed the increase in seasonal illness to changes in temperature and humidity, mosquito breeding and the consumption of contaminated food and water.Hospital records showed that around 1,100 patients have been registering at the OPD daily over the past 10 days. “To accommodate the growing number of patients, even beds in the ENT, eye and psychiatry wards are being used for those requiring treatment under the medicine department,” said an official.Hospital authorities said that treatment is not being denied to anyone. Jha said, “Bed management, timely discharge of stable patients and mobilisation of additional resources are being undertaken continuously to handle the increased patient load.”
