Photo : Messenger
The unrelenting heatwave has severely disrupted public life nationwide. Due to the oppressive temperatures, hospitals have experienced a surge in patient admissions, including in the capital city. Children and the elderly have been disproportionately impacted, succumbing to heat-related illnesses and requiring hospitalization.
Doctors said most of the patients coming to hospitals are suffering from fever, cough, and cold. Among them, children are more affected by stomach pain, diarrhoea, and pneumonia. The elderly, on the other hand, are affected by dehydration, breathing difficulties, and various other diseases.
The pressure of patients in hospitals has increased so much that there are no empty beds available. As a result, patients are crowding in the wards and verandas. Hospital authorities are struggling to handle the influx of patients.
According to relevant sources, public life has been disrupted as there is not much difference between day and night temperatures. Doctors are advising drinking plenty of pure water and liquid foods to stay healthy in this heat.
According to the meteorological department, the maximum temperature in Dhaka on Wednesday was 39.2 degrees Celsius, while the highest temperature in the country was 41.6 degrees Celsius, similar to the previous days. Meteorologist Hafizur Rahman said the ongoing heat wave will remain unchanged. As a result, doctors fear that the number of patients may increase further if the temperature does not drop.
A on-sight visit to Mugda Medical College Hospital revealed that hundreds of patients suffering from diarrhoea and pneumonia have been admitted. As the number of beds in the hospital is exhausted, patients are receiving treatment on the floor as well.
Similar situations were observed at Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute (Shishu Hospital), Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital, Sir Salimullah Medical College, and Mitford Hospital, where the patient load has doubled.
Obaidul Karim and Nasima Begum, residents of Manik Nagar, admitted their two-year-old daughter Afifa to the pediatric ward of Mugda Hospital on Sunday due to fever and cold. They said that their child has fallen ill due to excessive heat and frequent load shedding.
Director of Mugda Hospital, Professor Dr Md Niatuzzaman, told the Daily Messenger, “Children are being affected by various diseases due to the heatwave. In recent days, the number of patients admitted with diarrhoea and other diseases has increased. Currently, the pediatric ward has more children with diarrhoea. The number of adult patients has also increased.”
He added, “There are also patients with fever, cough, cold, and pneumonia. However, we do not consider this situation abnormal yet. If everyone remains aware, consumes more liquid foods, and avoids sun exposure, it will be better.”
Regarding the heat wave, Dr. Abdul Motaleb Matin, Assistant Professor of the Pathology Department at Dhaka National Medical College and Hospital told the Daily Messenger, “When the outside temperature rises above 40 degrees Celsius, heat stroke can occur. Symptoms of heat stroke include red or dry skin, increased breathing rate, increased pulse rate, prolonged lack of urination or dark urine color, loss of consciousness or memory loss.”
He also mentioned, “Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are at higher risk. Those with kidney disease or taking diuretics for lowering blood pressure are also at risk.”
The doctor suggested some preventive measures. He said, “Small amounts of water should be consumed repeatedly. Adults do not need more than two and a half liters per day, but more may be required if there is excessive sweating or prolonged sun exposure. Water mixed with salt and lemon juice can be consumed. Even for those with high blood pressure, consuming more potassium-rich foods instead of reducing sodium or salt can help control blood pressure and prevent sodium imbalance caused by heat stroke. Those at higher risk should avoid prolonged sun exposure and try to stay in shaded areas.”
Dr Mehedi Hasan from Palliative Medicine Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University told The Daily Messenger that excessive heat can cause several symptoms due to dehydration in the body. These symptoms can be seen in people of all ages. These include headache, drowsiness, muscle pain, loss of appetite, food poisoning, kidney problems, and even heat stroke. Many people also have breathing problems, which can worsen. However, children may experience reduced urination and urinary tract infections.
Regarding precautions, he said one should take adequate rest, wear sunglasses when going out, drink plenty of water and liquid foods, and bathe multiple times. He also advised eating more seasonal fruits and vegetables while avoiding fatty foods.
Gopalganj: The number of patients is increasing at Gopalganj 250-bed General Hospital. On average, 1,000 to 1,200 patients receive outdoor medical services daily. On Wednesday morning, 291 patients were admitted to the hospital's 10 departments. Among them, the diarrhoea and pediatric wards had the highest number of patients.
The supervisor of the General Hospital, Dr Jibitesh Bishwas, said that after Eid, an average of 200 patients used to be admitted to this hospital daily. Between 800 and 1,000 patients received outdoor treatment. This number has increased since the heat wave started.
Chuadanga: The number of pneumonia and diarrhoea patients, including children, is increasing at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital. The patient pressure is so high that there is a shortage of beds. Patients in the pediatric and diarrhoea wards are staying on the floor due to lack of beds. Doctors and nurses are struggling to handle the patient load.
Lakshmipur: In Lakshmipur, people are suffering from various diseases including diarrhoea, cough, and cold due to the intense heat. The Residential Medical Officer of the Sadar Hospital, Dr. Arup Pal, said that nearly 300 patients have been admitted to the Sadar Hospital in the last three days. Most of them are suffering from diarrhoea, fever, cold, and breathing difficulties. Although more patients are admitted than the number of beds, efforts are being made to provide treatment as much as possible.
Madaripur: Due to the prolonged intense heat, the patient load has increased at the 250-bed hospital in Madaripur district. Hundreds of patients are being admitted to this hospital every day. As the wards cannot accommodate all the patients, treatment is being provided in the verandas. Additionally, the patient rush is also increasing at the Upazila Health Complexes, with a higher number of children and elderly patients.
Kishoreganj: Dr. Helal Uddin, the director of Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital, said that with the rise in temperature, the patient load at the hospital has increased. Doctors and nurses are engaged in providing treatment to the patients. Although there is a shortage of beds, there is no crisis of necessary medicines.
Gazipur: Although the Upazila Health Complex in Kaliakair, Gazipur, is a 50-bed hospital, it has 100 beds. However, due to a shortage of manpower, the number of patients with diarrhoea and other diseases has increased during the excessive heat wave. As a result, many patients are lying on the floor due to the lack of beds.
Messenger/Fameema
