July 24: The BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), Dharan, has set up a separate 30-bed dengue ward to combat the increasing cases of dengue fever.

 The dedicated ward commenced its operations on Sunday in response to the escalating dengue outbreak in Dharan sub-metropolis, Sunsari, and its neighboring regions.

With the relentless surge in dengue cases in Sunsari and surrounding areas, the existing medical facilities at BPKIHS, including the 'central emergency' and the 'dengue clinic,' have become insufficient to cope with the situation, according to BPKIHS acting vice-chancellor Prof Dr. Prahlad Karki.

The 50-bed 'observation ward' has been overwhelmingly occupied by dengue patients in the past two days. Currently, an alarming 85% of the ward's beds are filled with dengue patients.

Moreover, the hospital's emergency ward has been inundated with 60 to 75 dengue cases daily.