Sharjah hospitals report 70% spike in patient visits after Iftar
Al Kuwaiti and Al Qasimi hospitals in Sharjah have reported a 70 per cent increase in the number of patients visiting the facilities after Iftar time everyday.
The two hospitals, on average, have been receiving more than 650 patients who come after Iftar complaining of stomach pain or indigestion everyday since Ramadan began.
“Lack of awareness among fasting Muslims about proper nutrition, bad practices and their stress on quantity rather than quality cause many of them to suffer stomachaches and rush to hospitals after Iftar time,” said Yousif Al Serkal, Director of Al Kuwaiti Hospital.
“Most of them drink water or juice which is too cold to break the fast instead of having a hot soup or a couple of dates,” he said.
Then there are people with chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure who do not observe the diet prescribed for them.
“Several fasting Muslims stay awake all night and keep eating until the time of Imsak (starting time to fast in the morning). This habit makes them feel weak and exhausted.”
The majority of the people visiting hospitals with complaints after Iftar receive treatment and advices about proper diet and are discharged the same night, as they don’t need to be admitted, he said.
However, there are a few cases such as those who come with high blood sugar levels and blood pressure. They would need to stay in the hospital till their condition gets stable.
He said the conditions of some of the patients do not, in fact, require coming to the emergency like a minor headache for which they could buy a medicine over the counter and have it. “Still, some such people also visit the hospital, adding to the crowd and wasting the time of physicians at the emergency ward,” Al Serkal said.
He said the administration at Al Kuwaiti Hospital has chalked out a programme to cope with the expected rush of patients during the holy month. Under this, a complete team of doctors with various specialties is always available to attend to emergency cases. There is also special team to deal with cases of traffic accidents and injuries at workplaces.
The management has improved and modified all sections of the hospital and the emergency room has the advanced medical equipment.
Al Serkal urged the patients who suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes and blood pressure to follow their diets and instructions provided by the healthcare provider and avoid eating unnecessary food that worsen their conditions.
Obaid Al Naboudah, Head of the Public Relations Department of Al Qasimi Hospital, said the hospital has also been receiving 70 per cent more patients after Iftar time than on normal days.
The hospital has extended the work hours of physicians in the evening shift during the holy month to meet the demand.
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