Reza Mahmud :
A significant number of children have been admitted to Dhaka Shishu Hospital due to the sudden onset of cold weather, which has left many vulnerable. Several other health facilities are also experiencing an influx of patients. Experts attribute the rapid spread of such diseases to severe air pollution.
Asifa Tasnia, a banker, brought her four-year-old child to Dhaka Shishu Hospital with cold fever. She was seen waiting alongside many other mothers and children waiting for admission.
However, hospital officials are struggling to allocate beds due to the overwhelming number of patients.
Abdul Aleem, a young professional working at a private company, has been dealing with a persistent dry cough for several days. While the cough is sporadic during the day, it becomes more frequent at night.
Despite showing no signs of fever or cold, he suspects Dhaka’s air pollution as the cause, citing the dusty environment and the seasonal onset of cold-related illnesses. Unfortunately, his condition shows no signs of improvement.
On Wednesday morning, Dhaka ranked as the second-most polluted city globally, following Lahore, Pakistan, with Delhi and Karachi in third and fourth places, respectively.
According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), areas like Mirpur’s Eastern Housing 2, Becharam Dewri, and Kalyanpur were identified as the most polluted in Dhaka. AQI data also revealed that Dhaka’s air pollution intensifies significantly after dusk, reaching levels classified as “very unhealthy.”
Professor M. Muzaherul Huq, a former adviser to the World Health Organization (WHO), remarked to The New Nation on Wednesday, “Dhaka’s air quality is severely adverse.
Recently, the city’s pollution levels have surpassed those of other highly polluted cities worldwide.
With the onset of winter and people’s limited adaptation to the cold, pollution-related illnesses are spreading rapidly.” He emphasized that children and the elderly are the most vulnerable and advised them to avoid cold and open-air exposure. The public health expert also recommended wearing masks during outdoor activities.
Prof. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, founder of CAPS, highlighted road excavations, large-scale infrastructure projects, brick kilns, industrial factories, unfit vehicles emitting black smoke, and waste burning as the primary contributors to Dhaka’s pollution. To mitigate its effects, the environment ministry on Tuesday advised wearing masks outdoors and recommended that sensitive individuals avoid unnecessary outdoor activities.
Doctors note that air pollution is a significant cause of cough during the dry season, exacerbated by seasonal changes and dry weather. Medical experts explain that common colds and fevers are typically caused by viral infections.
Research from the 1980s identified seven categories of viruses responsible for colds, with cold weather creating conditions conducive to viral transmission, increasing susceptibility during winter.
Dr. Ayesha Akter, deputy director of the TB Hospital at Shyamoli, attributed the surge in cough cases to the dry winter air and elevated dust and pollution levels in Dhaka. She explained that exposure to these pollutants triggers coughing as the body attempts to expel harmful particles.
Additionally, she noted that viral infections often cause colds, coughs, and sore throats, spreading rapidly within households and becoming more prevalent during seasonal transitions. However, she observed that these cases tend to decline as winter progresses.
Experts have urged government agencies to implement effective measures to reduce air pollution in the city.
