Dengue fever cases continue to surge at a concerning rate across the northern-central region of Bangladesh, placing heightened pressure on regional healthcare facilities. In a fresh tragedy, a 40-year-old woman, Tahmina Akhtar, succumbed to the mosquito-borne virus within the last 24 hours while receiving treatment at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. Tahmina was the wife of Saidur Rahman, a resident of Mohanganj upazila in the neighbouring Netrokona district. Her death highlights the growing severity of the outbreak in rural and semi-urban communities outside the capital.
Hospital records indicate that Tahmina was admitted to the specialized dengue ward on 10 September suffering from high fever, acute body pain, and dangerously low platelet counts. Despite intense medical interventions by the attending physicians, her condition deteriorated rapidly due to dengue shock syndrome, leading to her death on Saturday afternoon. Her passing brings the total number of dengue-related fatalities at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital to 16 since the beginning of the year, with a significant proportion of the deceased originating from neighbouring districts.
Medical personnel working in the dedicated unit report a steady stream of patients presenting with severe symptoms. Dr Mostafa Faisal, a focal person and physician attached to the dengue ward, confirmed that 53 new patients were admitted within the past 24 hours alone. During the same period, 67 recovered individuals were discharged. Currently, 136 patients remain admitted to the facility. Comprehensive hospital records show that 2,123 individuals have been admitted and treated for dengue fever at the institution between January and the present date.
As a major tertiary healthcare hub, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital absorbs patient loads not only from Mymensingh but also from Netrokona, Sherpur, Jamalpur, and Tangail. Physicians note that many patients from peripheral regions arrive at the hospital in critical condition after days of delayed or inadequate primary care. When patients reach the tertiary stage already in shock, clinical interventions become exceedingly difficult.
Health experts emphasize that expanding hospital beds alone will not curb the epidemic. Effective containment requires proactive vector control, including eliminating stagnant water around homes, using bed nets consistently, and launching thorough municipal fogging drives. Furthermore, medical professionals strongly advise the public to undergo early diagnostic tests at the onset of fever rather than self-medicating with over-the-counter drugs.
