Although Bangladesh is blessed with a good climate and the winter is relatively short here, every year the season inflicts immense sufferings to people especially the poor, elderly and children. This year winter has not yet been freezing yet but over the last couple of days a sudden cold wave has lowered the temperature and battered normal life across country. The number of patients, especially children and elderly people, is increasing in different city hospitals. Children are suffering mostly from acute respiratory infections, pneumonia, bronchiolitis and diarrhoea while the elderly are coming to hospitals with asthma, bronchitis, acute respiratory infections and other ailments caused by cold.
Reports tell us that about one or two more cold waves are expected to sweep the country at the end of December and Rangpur, Rajshahi and Khulna are going to be the worst affected regions. And the temperature may plummet to as low as 6°C in northern, north-eastern and central parts of the country during the period. Therefore, we feel the necessity to prepare for a harsh spell of cold and the government should plan in advance to combat it. In this regard, we suggest all parents to take special care of their children. Children may be found with stomach ache and they refuse to have foods. In that case, they have to be given oral saline with normal food. If situation does not improve, parents must consult with a doctor immediately.
Departments concerned should operate
temporary and seasonal medical teams to
work in remote areas where
people cannot avail medicare
However, many remote places in the country do not have adequate healthcare facilities. In this regard, departments concerned should operate temporary and seasonal medical teams to work in remote areas where people cannot avail medicare. Also the media should play necessary role in preparing the people for facing cold-related diseases by telecasting health care programmes.