Reza Mahmud
A severe heatwave has led to a doubling of diarrhoea patients in hospitals, alongside a rise in heat stroke, respiratory problems, influenza, and related illnesses.
Children are suffering the most due to the heatwaves. Rabeya, a 12-year-old child from Rangpur, was transferred to the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) hospital in Dhaka after falling ill with severe diarrhoea on Friday.
Rabeya’s case is not unique, as the ongoing heatwave is causing a surge in heat-related diseases, particularly affecting children and the elderly nationwide.
Officials from hospitals in Dhaka have reported a notable increase in patients from across the country, particularly with diarrhoea.
Additionally, many are presenting with complaints such as headache, sore throat, and shortness of breath.
“In normal days, we admit about 200 to 250 patients every day, but now it has doubled. We are now admitting about 450 to 500 diarrhoea patients daily,” shared an icddr,b official from Mohakhali, who preferred anonymity.
In the emergency department of the icddr,b hospital, 50-year-old Sadek Ahmed was admitted after falling ill from a day of pulling a rickshaw in the heat, experiencing weakness, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
“Around 30 percent of children are impacted by rotavirus. They experience symptoms like fever, cold, and cough during season changes,” shared one of the physicians at icddr,b.
Public health experts emphasized the risks associated with not taking the heatwave seriously, as individuals may fall victim to heat stroke and related issues.
They advised people to stay indoors, especially from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, to avoid direct sun exposure. Additionally, for those who must go out, wearing loose clothing was recommended to minimize humidity and heat-related discomfort.
The experts urged the government to ensure accessible safe water on streets for those who need to work outside during the hot daytime hours. They also advised the public to ensure the safety of their food and drinks to avoid illness during the heatwave.
Professor Dr. M. Muzaherul Huq highlighted the importance of food safety during hot weather, stating, “It has to be remembered that foods spoil quickly in hot weather. Therefore, people must ensure their food and drinks are safe before consumption.”
Professor Dr. M. Muzaherul Huq advised everyone to stay hydrated by drinking sufficient water, lemon juice, and other fruit juices, emphasizing the importance of using safe water sources.
In the event of someone fainting due to the heat, experts recommended seeking immediate medical attention at the nearest emergency hospital.
Professor Dr. Be-Nazir Ahmed, former Line Director of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) of the Health Ministry, highlighted the necessity for the government to install water tanks in streets through WASA (Water Supply and Sewerage Authority) to ensure safe water access for individuals who must work outside during the intense heat for their livelihoods and urgent tasks.
He further suggested that hospitals should stock up on essential medicines and saline to prepare for the increased demand during the heatwave.
To address the potential emergency situation caused by the heatwave, the government has implemented several precautionary measures.
Health Minister Dr. Samanta Lal Sen instructed hospitals nationwide to maintain a sufficient number of available beds to manage the effects of the ongoing heatwave.
This directive was issued during a meeting with hospital directors and civil surgeons held on Sunday morning.
