Hospitals reach full capacity as cases surge

Colombo, June 29 (Daily Mirror) - With Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak reaching epidemic levels, patients are facing severe difficulties as hospitals in several parts of the country have reached full capacity to accommodate the growing number of dengue cases.

Hospital sources told the Daily Mirror that dengue wards are overcrowded, with congestion increasing rapidly as hundreds of new patients are admitted daily.

They said treatment is in full swing, but the heavy influx of patients has placed immense pressure on hospital resources and staff.

The situation is particularly severe in the Western Province, while hospitals in Galle, Matara, Kegalle and Kandy are also reporting a sharp rise in admissions.

Secretary of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa, said dengue patients should not be treated at home as the disease requires close medical observation.

“Since doctors have to keep a close eye on dengue patients, home treatment cannot be recommended. Patients must be monitored carefully as their condition can deteriorate suddenly,” he said.

Dr. Sugathadasa also pointed to a shortage of doctors warning that the increasing patient load has placed enormous pressure on the healthcare system.

“There is a shortage of doctors to treat the growing number of patients, and this sometimes results in patients not receiving the attention they require promptly,” he said.

He stressed that patients diagnosed with dengue should strictly observe bed rest and follow medical advice to avoid complications.

Dr. Sugathadasa also highlighted the strain on hospital infrastructure noting that basic facilities, including sanitary facilities, have come under pressure due to overcrowding.

The Daily Mirror reported on Friday (26) that Sri Lanka’s dengue outbreak had reached epidemic levels, with the number of reported cases surpassing 50,000.

Acting Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr. Kapila Kannangara, said the country is currently recording between 600 and 700 dengue cases daily, warning that urgent preventive measures are needed to prevent the outbreak from worsening.

“We are now reporting around 600 to 700 dengue cases a day, and the total number of cases has exceeded 50,000. The disease has reached epidemic proportions,” he said.