Viral infection cases on rise in Solukhumbu

Solukhumbu, March 14 — Viral infection has gripped Solukhumbu district. Number of patients suffering from viral fever, common cold and cough, asthma, pneumonia, headache, respiratory problems and diarrhea has been increasing at different places in the district from last week.

According to the District Health Office, number of patients visiting Phaplu Hospital has increased all of sudden, creating problem in service delivery of the hospital. 

More than a dozen patients suffering from viral infection visit Phaplu hospital for treatment daily. The 15-bed hospital has now been providing treatment admitting more than 50 patients, according to the hospital administration. 

Officiating Chief of the hospital, Sani Sherpa, said they have been facing problem in managing human resources to attend to the patients following the increasing number of patients at the hospital. 

Of the patients admitted in the hospital, most of them are patients of viral infection. "We lack adequate human resources but the patient inflow is high. We have now been mobilizing all available means and resources," Sherpa mentioned.

Most of the patients visiting the hospital are in critical health condition and they have to be put under oxygen. 

"All beds in the hospitals are packed. We have been providing treatment keeping the viral patients even in beds in the maternity room. A situation might occur wherein patients will have to be treated keeping them on the floor if the number of patients surges like this," shared the hospital's Dr Ram Babu Joshi.