The paediatric wards at Rangpur Medical College Hospital (RpMCH) are facing severe overcrowding, with the number of child patients far exceeding available bed capacity. The hospital’s paediatric department, which includes wards 8, 9, and 10, has a total of 86 beds but accommodates between 260 and 300 children daily. This has led to multiple patients sharing single beds or being treated on the floor, raising concerns about infection risks.

During a recent inspection, medical staff observed three to four children sharing one bed, with several others lying on the floor due to lack of space. Dr. ANM Tanvir Chowdhury, an assistant professor in the paediatric department, noted that the congestion is straining medical resources and increasing the likelihood of the spread of infections such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis. Hospital data from September recorded 59 deaths in the paediatric wards; authorities confirmed that none of these were related to measles.

One patient’s relative, Janufa Begum from Aditmari in Lalmonirhat, shared her experience of her five-month-old child, who suffers from pneumonia and breathing difficulties. She said her child was treated on the floor for four days before finally receiving a bed, which has since been shared with another patient. Begum cited financial constraints as a reason for relying on public healthcare.

Compounding the difficulties is a shortage of phototherapy machines used for treating newborns with jaundice. Montaz Ali, a parent from Kurigram, reported that two babies were receiving treatment from a single phototherapy machine, a situation raising further concerns about infection control.

Nurse-in-charge of ward 10, Doli Khatun, stated that the ward is currently accommodating about 182 patients while its capacity is only 40 beds. She warned that the overcrowding could worsen during the winter months, when respiratory infections typically increase.

Meanwhile, a nearby modern 100-bed children’s hospital near the Rangpur City Corporation office remains only partially functional nearly seven years after its construction was completed. Despite having emergency and outpatient services, a laboratory, an operating theatre, and specialised units, the hospital has not commenced inpatient or full clinical services due to a shortage of medical staff and equipment.

Divisional health authorities noted that a proposal for hiring 65 staff members was submitted to the Ministry of Health in June 2023. Acting director of the Rangpur Divisional Health Directorate, Dr. Wazed Ali, said that three truckloads of furniture had recently arrived at the facility, but there is no confirmed timeline for staff appointments or equipment procurement. The delayed operational status of the children’s hospital continues to put additional pressure on RpMCH’s paediatric wards.