Sr. Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :
A mild cold wave coupled with dense fog is now sweeping across the the country including Kishoreganj . The seasonal and winter related diseases are spreading fast in both rural and urban areas.
A large number of poor people, particularly the elderly, children and infants, have been attacked with cold-related diseases such as pneumonia, influenza, allergy, asthma and bronchitis respiratory problems due to extreme of weather. At least 80 childrens admitted to government hospitals in the district.
Infected people are going to upazila and district-level hospitals including Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital (SSNIMCH) everyday for treatment, but they have to face difficulties in receiving treatment for lack of seats at hospitals.
Civil Surgeon (CS) of Kishoreganj, dr.Saiful Islam said that , Upathe children’s ward at different hospitals are equipped with sufficient beds in 13 upazilas health centers including Kishoreganj 250- bed General Hospital.
Hospital and doctors in several other hospitals in the district, the medical units, including private clinics, are hard-pressed to accommodate the growing number of patients for the past week or so. Most patients, doctors said, are coming in with complaints of cold related allergy, asthma, hypertension, influenza, heart diseases, bronchitis, pneumonia, suffocation, cough and fever.
Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital (SSNIMCH) Director dr. Md. Helaluddin , told The New Nation that, children under five and infants are getting infected with winter-borne diseases as they cannot adapt to sudden change of weather. “We are providing treatment to affected children round the clock. But the number of patients is high at hospital. To tackle the situation, we are giving primary treatment to some while giving necessary advice to others,”
At least 35 children patients admitted to Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital (SSNIMCH).
Dr. Saiful Islam, Civil Surgeon (CS) also said, “The cold weather is responsible for such diseases but we have remained alert and are monitoring the situation regularly.” “We have also urged the people to take preventive steps for their children, as most patients are below 15 years,” he added and advised the elderly to protect themselves with adequate warm clothes, eat a nutritious diet and avoid moving out in the open air until the cold weather goes.
He also admitted that the hospital authorities are facing a serious setback to treat patients due to lack of adequate infrastructures.
Child Specialist dr.Abdul Hye said, Asthma and Child Specialist said many children, infants and geriatric people get infected with cold-related diseases due to cold wave and sudden change of weather.
Germs of cold-related diseases normally remain inactive due to low rate of moisture in the air and it is transmitted to children’s body through inhalation of cold air, he said, adding that guardians should be more cautious during winter to protect their children from cold.
