Heatwave raises incidence of seasonal diseases in Rajshahi

RAJSHAHI, Apr 21: Public health in Rajshahi is falling into ruin with a widespread outbreak of seasonal diseases under the influence of the severe heat wave sweeping over the region for the past one week.

Different types of diseases including cold-cough, fever, headache, sore throat and diarrhoea are affecting a large number of people and the hospitals are busy managing an influx of patients daily.

The medical staff, including doctors and health workers, has to endure extra pressure for providing treatment to the unusually large number of patients.

According to the Meteorological Office, the heat wave started sweeping over Rajshahi on April 13. Maximum temperature on the day was recorded at 37.6°C, on April 14, the maximum temperature was recorded at 38.5°C, on April 15, it was 39.4°C, on April 16, it was 39.4°C, on April 17, it was 40.4°C, on April 18, it was 39.2 °C, on April 19, it was 40.5 °C, and on April 20, it was 41.5 °C.

The maximum temperature was recorded on last Sunday at 41.0°C degrees Celsius.

Visiting Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH), the largest hospital in the country's northern region, this correspondent found that the hospital's children wards and even balconies were overflowing with patients.

There was same picture in the hospital's medicine ward and outside too.

As three times patients than the number of beds were admitted to the hospital, beyond the actual capacity, many had to receive treatment staying on the balcony floor, failing to manage space inside the ward.

Sources at the RMCH said on April 16, 19 patients were given treatment for diarrhoea in the outdoor, 38 indoor and 78 in the emergency department. On April 17, 38 children were admitted to the hospital with diarrhea, on April 18, 50 children, on April 19, 54 children and on April 20, 56 children were admitted with diarrhea.

Meanwhile, children attacked with diarrhoea are being treated separately as the crowd of other types of patients is on the rise.

One-year-old Jisan who came from Bashbari village in Ballukgachi union of Puthia upazila with diarrhoea took seat at the balcony of ward no. 24 (child ward) after admission.

The child's uncle, Tariqul Islam, said Jisan was admitted to the hospital after vomiting and diarrhoea started on Thursday. "I kept the child in the balcony without getting a place in the ward," he added.

Halima Khatun was standing with baby Afifa in the ward. She said her one and a half years old child had been suffering from cold, cough and fever for the past few days.

She took medicine from a local pharmacy. But recovery did not come. So she came to the government hospital; yet here they have to wait for a long time.

Aleya Begum, a resident of Bagha upazila, said two days ago, her baby's diarrhoea suddenly started. The child was admitted to the hospital that night and he is well now.

Dr Billal Hossain, a physician of the emergency department of RMCH, said, "With the rise in temperature, crowd of patients suffering from heat-related diseases including diarrhoea has increased in the hospital. But the disease aggravation has not yet reached an alarming level. However, due to the prevailing weather condition in Rajshahi, there is an alarming increase in the number of patients suffering from various diseases including diarrhoea."

Brigadier General FM Shamim Ahmed, director of RMCH, said, "Due to the severe heat wave, the incidence of seasonal diseases including diarrhoea has increased a little in Rajshahi region. Necessary arrangements have been kept considering the situation."

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