Hospital capacity crisis adds to dengue death toll: Specialist warns

It is regrettable that some patients who require medical treatment and special attention as inpatients are returning home without being admitted to hospitals due to the current overcrowding, which has become a contributing factor in the increase in dengue-related deaths, Specialist Dr Chamal Sanjeewa said. 

He said hospitals are under severe pressure due to the rising number of dengue patients, with both government and private hospitals exceeding their capacity to admit patients. 

Dr Sanjeewa said the main causes behind dengue-related deaths were the worsening of the disease and complications arising from it. He said nearly 60 dengue-related deaths have been reported so far, with four key factors contributing to these fatalities. According to him, the first factor is patients delaying medical treatment until the disease reaches a critical stage. 

The second is the inability of some patients who require inpatient care to receive admission due to overcrowding in hospitals. He said some patients who need close monitoring and special medical attention are being sent home due to limited hospital capacity. 

The third factor is possible shortcomings in the treatment provided to hospitalised patients. However, Dr Sanjeewa said there were no officially confirmed complaints or evidence that dengue deaths had occurred due to medical negligence. 

The fourth factor is patients succumbing to complications and the severity of the disease while receiving treatment in hospitals. 

He said that among these factors, most dengue-related deaths during the current outbreak have occurred due to patients seeking treatment after the disease had worsened and due to complications caused by the illness. 

Dr Sanjeewa added that improved public awareness about dengue symptoms has helped reduce deaths caused by delays in seeking treatment. He said people, including children and adults, are now more likely to seek advice from specialist doctors or family physicians at the early stages of illness.