Catholic hospital in Dhaka on the frontline for dengue fever patients

Bangladesh is facing the worst dengue outbreak in its history with hospitals overwhelmed and more than 1,500 deaths this year. No “dengue patients have died during treatment” at St. John Vianney Hospital, which opened in the capital in 2019. “We encourage patients to receive treatment,” said the hospital director, Fr Kamal Corraya, who also noted that the quality care is for everyone.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Mosquito-borne dengue fever has already killed 1,562 people this year in Bangladesh. That is the highest figure ever.

In recent days, more than a thousand people have been hospitalised after contracting the virus in the capital alone. A total of 863 of them were admitted to different hospitals outside Dhaka.

The data is provided by the Health Emergency Operations Centre and Control Room of the Department of Health.

According to the latter, 303,536 people have been hospitalised due to the dengue virus since 1 January this year.

St John Vianney Hospital in Dhaka, a Catholic health facility, is at the forefront of care for dengue-positive patients.

“Over 2,000 dengue patients have received our treatments and are now doing well," said Fr Kamal Corraya, executive director of the hospital.

“Fortunately,” he added, “none of our dengue patients have died during treatment. Our doctors and nurses have tried to provide the best care for them and their families."

Many hospitals are congested because they accept patients even if they do not really need to be admitted, because they make a profit from every patient.

"We don't do that," Fr Corraya explained. “We encourage patients to receive treatment at home if there is no serious risk to their health. We are not interested in profit but in health.

“Our doctors never recommend tests that are not essential." What is more, "With our quality treatments and care, we also bear Christian witness," Fr Corraya said.

Dhaka has a population of about 23 million and St. John Vianney is the only Catholic hospital in the city. It opened on 11 November 2019, and has a staff of about 100 and 20 beds.

Alamgir Hossain, a Muslim, said his 10-year-old son Arav Ahmad was admitted to the hospital run by Fr Corraya.

"I am impressed by the treatment and service at St. John Vianney Hospital. Doctors and nurses are knowledgeable and devote time to patients. This hospital is tidy and a healthy place,” he said.

“I am happy because my son's situation had worsened after he contracted dengue. This hospital saved my son's life. I thank the doctors, nurses and hospital administration."

Another patient, Subroto Gomes, a Catholic, added: "I felt at home during my stay for dengue at St. John Vianney.”

• bangladesh
• dhaka
• dengue fever
• st. john vanney catholic hospital