Hospitals in Dhaka and other parts of the country have been struggling to deal with a surging number of patients with cold-related diseases as a moderate cold wave is sweeping across the country.

Filled to capacity, Dhaka Shishu Hospital is referring patients elsewhere.

Paediatric departments of Dhaka Medical College (DMC) and Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) are struggling to cope with the flow of patients.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) yesterday (Tuesday) forecast that the cold wave is likely to continue for another three to four days, particularly over the north-western districts extending up to Dhaka.

The health department said that from November, the number of patients suffering from jaundice, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, and skin diseases has been rising.

Doctors said people are suffering from bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, and diarrhoea. Children and elderly people are at most risk.

The northern and south-western districts are the worst-affected areas, said officials.

From November 1 till January 7, at least 332,957 people visited hospitals across the country with cold-related diseases, mostly acute respiratory tract infection, diarrhoea, asthma, and bronchitis, according to the Directorate General of Health Services. At least 51 have died of cold-related disease across the country.

Dr Ayesha Akhter, in-charge of the disease control room at DGHS, told The Independent that patients were coming mainly from 296 upazilas, mostly in the northern districts and some south-western districts. “The number of patients visiting public hospitals since November 1 was 53,001 with acute respiratory tract infection, 131,099 with diarrhoea, and 1,48,857 with other cold-related diseases,” she added.

She also said during that time 51 people died due to illness with 17 from respiratory complications, four from diarrhoea, and 30 from other ailments.

BK