The persistent heat wave gripping the country has pushed hospitals in the worst-hit districts to the brink.
With temperatures exceeding 42 degrees Celsius in several areas – the highest in over six decades – a surge in heatstroke, dehydration, and other heat-related illnesses has overwhelmed medical facilities.
Hospitals in districts where the intense heat wave persists have been grappling with a sharp increase in patients, with forecasts indicating that the heat wave will persist for several more days.
To cope up with the situation, the health ministry has instructed hospital authorities to prepare for a potential surge in the number of patients.
On Sunday, the temperature in the capital reduced to 38.2 degrees Celsius, from 40.6 degree Celsius on Saturday – the highest in the past 64 years, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The respite in the capital, however, offered little relief as scorching temperatures continued to grip many other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius and above were recorded in at least six districts and areas on the same day. Of those, Chuadanga recorded the country’s highest temperature at 42.2 degrees Celsius. Other areas sweltered under the following temperatures: 42 degrees Celsius in Pabna’s Ishwardi; 41.5 degrees Celsius in Rajshahi; 40.8 degrees Celsius in Kushtia’s Kumarkhali; 40.4 degrees Celsius in Tangail; and 40.2 degrees Celsius in Jashore.
The soaring temperatures have led to a notable increase in heat wave-related illnesses, pushing hospitals in these areas to their limits.
At Kushtia General Hospital, doctors have been struggling to provide care amid the surge in patients suffering from heatstroke, diarrhoea, and other heat-related ailments. Besides those from Kushtia districts, the hospital has been overwhelmed with patients from the neighbouring districts – Chuadanga, Meherpur, Rajbari and Jhenaidah.
On Sunday, the paediatric ward in this hospital was accommodating a staggering 207 patients, far exceeding its 20-bed capacity. The situation was equally dire in the diarrhoea ward, overflowing with 71 patients despite its 15-bed capacity.
Dr Tapos Kumar Sarker, resident medical officer of Kushtia General Hospital, told the Daily Sun on Sunday, “The number of patients with heat-related illnesses like diarrhoea have increased. This is a 250-bed hospital; but there are nearly 700 patients today.”
Hospitals in Chuadanga, Jashore, and Rajshahi have also been under strain due to the increasing number of patients over the past several days, sources said.
To tackle the potential surge in the number of patients, authorities of Rangpur Medical College Hospital have taken preparations.
Talking to the Daily Sun on Sunday, Dr Mohammod Younus Ali, director of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said, “So far, we haven’t seen a surge in the number of patients with heat-related illnesses. However, we held a meeting today to discuss strategies for addressing any potential increase in cases.”