74 percent dengue patients students, jobholders

Abu Tayub Mohammed Farhad, a private service-holder working in Dhaka, was admitted to the Islami Bank Central Hospital on August 24.

A resident of Dhanmondi, Farhad underwent treatment for dengue at the hospital, where he spent Tk15,000 within five days. After being discharged, he had to stay in bed for four more days because he felt weak.

Farhad missed 12 days of work during this period.

On September 2, 11-year-old Shoshi's blood tests revealed that she had dengue.

The 3rd grader, studying at Mohammadpur Preparatory School, was then admitted to the Shishu Hospital where she underwent treatment for seven days.

Like Abu Tayub Mohammed Farhad and Shoshi, 74 percent of dengue patients in Bangladesh this year are jobholders and students, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

The IEDCR said, among the dengue patients who were admitted to hospitals this year, 37 percent are students, 37 percent jobholders, five percent businessmen, 13 percent homemakers, and eight percent others.

Prof Meerjady Sabrina Flora, director of IEDCR, explained: "Aedes mosquito usually bites during the daytime.  As students and jobholders remain outdoors, they are more prone to mosquito bites.  

"However, as the intensity of dengue has increased, awareness of people at homes has also gone up. They are keeping their houses and adjoining areas clean," she added.  

The IEDCR also said that preventive measures must also be taken in eductional institutions and workplaces. "If rain water remains stagnant, Aedes mosquito breeding will increase, so everyone should be more alert."

According to IEDCR data, 32 percent of the dengue patients are aged below 18 years, while 68 percent are above 18.  The 15-45-year age group is the most affected among them.

Of all dengue affected people, 28 percent are aged 15-25 years, 21 percent 25-35 years, and 11 percent aged 35-45 years.

Tk355 crore spent on treatment of dengue patients

A research by the Institute of Health Economics at Dhaka University (DU) revealed that Tk354.99 crore has been spent for treatment of dengue patients till September 9 this year.

The expenditure on those who have returned home after taking treatment from hospitals has not been included in this amount.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Dr Syed Abdul Hamid, former director of the Institute of Health Economics, said: "The research was done on several hundred patients in 12 hospitals of Dhaka city.  Most of the dengue patients are young people and jobholders."

The research paper, titled "Economic Burden of Dengue in Bangladesh" said, a dengue patient spends around Tk11,000-Tk2 lakh on treatment, depending on which hospital they are admitted to.

A dengue patient had to spend Tk10,952 in a government hospital till Friday. The amount includes admission, bed charge, doctors' fees, medicine and food bills. A referred patient had to spend Tk20,493.

On the other hand, a patient taking treatment at an elite private hospital has to spend Tk2.17 lakh and Tk41,319 at a general hospital.

The total direct expenditure of the patients who were admitted to hospitals was Tk231.88 crore – with Tk83.50 crore spent on lodging, food, conveyance, and on lost workhours, according to the research.

Government statistics recorded around 80,040 dengue patients were admitted and treated in different government and private hospitals in the country – including those in Dhaka – till September 13.

The Directorate General of Health Services has confirmed the deaths of 60 dengue patients so far.  The average age of those who died of the mosquito-borne disease is 30 years.  

DU's research calculated total financial losses caused by the 60 deaths, based on their per capita income, at about Tk40 crore.

Unofficial sources put the death figure so far at 203.  If their per capita income is taken into account, the amount of loss stands at Tk135.33 crore.