Hyderabad: Telangana is witnessing a rise in viral fever cases, with government hospitals across the state reporting a sharp increase in outpatient footfall.
Over 2,000 patients a day
At major government hospitals in Hyderabad, the daily number of outpatients has crossed 2,000, while private hospitals are also seeing a significant influx of patients with fever and related symptoms.
According to a report published in vernacular media, Gandhi and Osmania hospitals are receiving more than 2,000 outpatients a day, amid an increase in seasonal illnesses. District government hospitals are also reporting high patient volumes, with some facilities recording around 900 to 1,000 outpatient cases a day.
Why are so many falling sick now?
The rise comes amid continued rainfall and changing weather conditions, which have created conditions conducive to the spread of mosquito-borne and seasonal infections.
Doctors are seeing patients with symptoms associated with viral fevers, dengue, malaria and chikungunya, while respiratory infections and typhoid are also being reported.
At Niloufer Hospital, which caters primarily to children, the daily outpatient count has crossed 1,000, with fever and respiratory infections accounting for a significant share of the cases, according to the report.
Pressure on healthcare services
The increase is not limited to government hospitals.
Private hospitals and clinics across Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana are also witnessing a rise in patients seeking treatment for fever and associated symptoms. However, consolidated figures for the private sector were not available in the report.
The seasonal increase has also put pressure on government healthcare facilities. Patients are reportedly facing long queues at outpatient counters and pharmacies as hospitals deal with the increased footfall.
Situation grim in tribal and agency areas
The situation is particularly challenging in some tribal and agency areas, where healthcare facilities face shortages of doctors and staff.
The report also points to difficulties with diagnostic equipment in some government hospitals, potentially making it harder for patients to access timely testing.
The increase in fever cases has also raised concerns over the way suspected dengue cases are being handled in the private healthcare sector. The report alleges that some private hospitals are subjecting patients to multiple tests and admissions after raising concerns over dengue or low platelet counts.
Such claims, however, would require verification from individual hospitals and health authorities.
While the reported numbers indicate increased pressure on hospitals, the Telangana health department has not released detailed statewide figures in the report to establish the exact scale of the increase in dengue, malaria, chikungunya or viral fever cases.
Health officials and doctors typically advise people experiencing persistent fever to seek medical attention rather than self-medicate. Preventing mosquito breeding by eliminating stagnant water and maintaining personal and household hygiene remain important during the monsoon and post-monsoon period.
With the rainy season continuing, hospitals are likely to remain under pressure from seasonal illnesses in the coming weeks.
