The current heatwave that has been continuing for the past few days sent hundreds and thousands of people to seek hospital care mostly with diarrhea, acute vomiting, respiratory tract infection, pneumonia and high fever. The weather forecast however predicts some temporary respite from the heatwave. The meteorology department said that thunderstorms at places would bring the temperature down and hence give temporary relief.
A distance low pressure in the Bay of Bengal, in the meantime, is cited and may turn to another cyclone by end of this month. The possible cyclone, which is too immature now, would definitely bring cloudy weather which is predicted to bring relief. The rising traffic congestions in city’s main thoroughfares has added to the sufferings as commuters are forced to wait in the agonizing heat.
Many of the travelers who are fasting in the month of Ramadan are often fainting from acute dehydration or heat stroke. Meanwhile, the current heatwave, already pushing the mercury to 35 degrees Celsius on Sunday, has increased sufferings of people of all ages, especially children. Country’s major hospitals are overcrowded with patients including Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Dhaka Shishu Hospital, the central focus of country’s children’s treatment facilities is overloaded with patients. The number of childhood diarrhea, pneumonia and viral fever has shot up in the past week as temperature continues to rise. The Acting Director of the hospital Professor Farid Ahmed told Bangladesh Post that a huge pressure is on the hospital outdoor department every day. “Although we are treating every child seeking treatment but the unprecedented rush is becoming very difficult to cope,” Ahmed said.
He continued, “The heatwave obviously puts many vulnerable children at risk of suffering from acute dehydration and catching viral fever. I advise avoiding direct exposure to sun and staying too long outdoor. If the child sweats profusely, immediate care should be taken to rehydrate the body.” The resident physician of the hospital Dr Rezaul Ahsan Dipul told Bangladesh Post, “On average we examine about 200 children everyday but since the heatwave that began last week the number has shot up to almost double.
Dr Dipul said, “Hundreds of children with their attendants are crowding the 650-bed hospital outdoor which is often beyond our control. However, we are trying to attend every child and admit about ten percent of the outdoor patients with acute diarrhea, or high fever.” He said, “Small children feel the effects of heat sooner and more seriously than adults. It is highly recommended to replace fluid lost.”
The Director of DMCH Brigadier General A K M Nasiruddin told Bangladesh Post, “As the biggest and leading public hospital of the country DMCH is obviously at the centre of taking treatment load, especially in such hot and humid weather.” He said, “We are managing to give treatment to a significant number of outdoor patients including managing about 4000 indoor patients who are now admitted to this 2600-bed hospital.”
He explained that it is a routine duty to give treatment to patients suffering from heat related ailments. “We are always ready to offer treatment and I have arranged receiving patients accordingly.” Meanwhile, there is a rising trend in admission of children to icddr,b or more popularly known as the Cholera Hospital in Mahakhali. Official statistics shared with Bangladesh Post shows that 688 children were treated for diarrhoeal disease at its centre globally known for its health research.
Although fewer in number in terms of admission of children treated for diarrhoeal disease compared to May 2018 but the general trend seems that this May daily admission may cross last few year’s records. Professor Azharul Islam Khan, Head of Hospital at icddr,b told Bangladesh Post, “About 65 percent of the people who fall sick from heat related ailments are adults as they are more exposed to the hot weather.”
He explained, “Because people drink more water and the end user often drinking water which is contaminated. It is a common problem with contamination. Such weather triggers people to drink more frequently and so the chances of contamination is also high.” Shamsuddin Ahmed, Director of Bangladesh Meteorological Department told this Correspondent that there would be some localised rainfall (thunderstorm) on Monday across the country which may substantially give relief from the on-going heatwave.
Ahmed said, “We are also expecting another cyclone this month which may develop in the Bay of Bengal. If the low turns into the expected cyclone it would definitely give great relief to the current weather situation.”
