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Halima Akhter, a resident of Mohammadpur, stood outside the ticket counter at the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, clutching her son Rubel as the 9-year-old identified with a single name has been battling a persistent cough and cold for nearly a week.
On Saturday, Halima told bdnews24.com: “The cold air hits his ears when the boy goes to school at 7 in the morning. That's why he has caught a cold. He refuses to wear a cap to cover his ears."
Nearby, Shayla Rahman of Banasree waited anxiously for a doctor. Her 2.5-year-old daughter, Laboni, also identified with a single name, has been feverish for three days.
“Both her nostrils are blocked due to the cold. She has a fever and she cries all day. She refuses to eat or drink,” said Shayla.
Scenes like these have become common at Dhaka’s Shishu Hospital, where doctors report an uptick in patients suffering from cold-induced ailments.
The parents of these children say that they have been suffering from cold-related problems since the beginning of winter. The problem has worsened due to the prolonged chill that has been biting Dhaka for the past three to four days.
Under the circumstances, doctors are recommending preventative measures to protect young children from winter ailments, including keeping them indoors, covering their heads, and using masks to guard against the cold and dust.
On Saturday, Maliha Keya, a resident of Old Dhaka, brought her 2-year-old to the Shishu Hospital.
She told bdnews24.com, "The child has a bad cold, and he is not getting better. I saw the doctor. He did some blood tests, and a chest X-ray. Waiting to see what the report says."
Tipu Ahmed, cradling his infant outside the hospital’s emergency department, shared similar fears.
“He’s been coughing and sneezing for a week, and there’s a gurgling sound in his chest. I’m worried it might be pneumonia. Waiting to see what the doctor says.”
The surge comes as Dhaka experiences one of its coldest spells of the year, with temperatures dropping to 13 degrees Celsius on Saturday.
The city, blanketed in thick fog for three consecutive days, finally saw the sun break through over the weekend. The Meteorological Department has forecast the cold will linger throughout the month.
Adding to the burden is Dhaka’s worsening air quality. According to IQAir, an international air quality monitoring organisation, the city’s Air Quality Index, or AQI, stood at 182 on Saturday, a level deemed “unhealthy.” In recent weeks, AQI readings have repeatedly surpassed the “very unhealthy” threshold.
Despite the cold being exacerbated due to the dust, many are seeking treatment at home.
Shakil Ahmed, a resident of Mirpur, said his two sons frequently fall ill during the winter months but have not been taken to a doctor.
“We manage with nebulisation, warm water, and keeping them inside so they are not exposed to the wind. They’ll get better eventually, so I did not take them to the doctor.”
Shishu Hospital Director Dr Mahbubul Alam told bdnews24.com that although the total number of patients at the hospital has decreased, the number of cold-related patients has increased. He said that more children with respiratory issues have been coming since December.
Speaking of protection from winter ailments, the doctor said: "It will be cold throughout the winter season. There is a lot of dust during the winter. Dust and cold together cause respiratory problems.”
"Small children should not be taken outside. Even if they go out, they should cover their heads and wear masks. After they recover from the cold, they should be given normal temperature water and bathed in warm water.”