Government hospitals across Almora reopened on Tuesday after 2 consecutive days without outpatient services, drawing long queues of patients and attendants. More than 1,150 patients sought treatment at the district hospital and the medical college-affiliated base hospital alone.
Outpatient department services were unavailable on Sunday because of the weekly holiday and remained closed on Monday for Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti. Patients who had delayed treatment gathered at registration counters and outside doctors’ rooms soon after the hospitals opened.
Patient numbers rise at major hospitals
More than 600 patients had registered at the district hospital’s outpatient department by the afternoon. The medical college-affiliated base hospital recorded more than 550 patients seeking treatment.
Primary and community health centres in rural areas also reported heavy patient attendance. Because of the crowd, patients and attendants had to wait for hours to consult doctors.
Most visitors reported symptoms associated with seasonal illness, including cold, cough, fever, headache and stomach pain. Patients with fractures and other serious health problems also arrived for medical care.
Doctors link cases to changing weather
Doctors said viral infections and fever cases have increased amid changing weather and fluctuations in temperature. The conditions have contributed to a rise in patients seeking consultations after the 2-day interruption in outpatient services.
Dr H.C. Gadkoti, PMS at the district hospital, said, “At present, viral and fever cases have increased rapidly due to changing weather and fluctuations in temperature. There is sufficient stock of life-saving medicines and other essential drugs in the hospital.”
The available information does not indicate any disruption in the supply of essential medicines. The immediate pressure reported at the hospitals was linked to the large number of patients seeking consultations after services resumed.
Conclusion
Almora’s government hospitals faced heavy outpatient attendance after the Sunday holiday and Monday’s Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti closure. More than 1,150 patients were treated or registered at the district and base hospitals, while doctors reported rising viral and fever cases linked to changing weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why were the hospitals closed for 2 days?
The hospitals had no outpatient services on Sunday because of the weekly holiday and on Monday because of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti.
Q. How many patients reached the district and base hospitals?
More than 1,150 patients reached the district hospital and the medical college-affiliated base hospital.
Q. How many patients registered at the district hospital?
More than 600 patients had registered at its outpatient department by the afternoon.
Q. How many patients visited the base hospital?
More than 550 patients reached the medical college-affiliated base hospital for treatment.
Q. What illnesses were commonly reported?
Many patients had cold, cough, fever, headache or stomach pain. Patients with fractures and other serious problems also sought treatment.
Q. What did doctors say about the increase in cases?
Doctors linked the rise in viral infections and fever cases to changing weather and fluctuations in temperature.
Q. Were essential medicines available?
Dr H.C. Gadkoti said the hospital had sufficient stocks of life-saving medicines and other essential drugs.
