Meherpur district has been reeling under a severe heat wave for the past one week with temperature fluctuating between 42 to 43 degrees Celsius.
Normal life is being disrupted due to severe heat wave as there is not much difference in day and night temperature.
The number of patients with various diseases including stomach ache, cold, fever, cough, diarrhea, pneumonia, dehydration, shortness of breath, heat stroke is increasing in the hospitals of the district due to extreme heat, causing bed crisis.
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During a visit to Meherpur General Hospital, Gangni and Mujibnagar Upazila Health Complexes on Sunday, it was found that patients were receiving treatment lying on the floor for lack of beds.
Dr Sajjad, resident medical officer (RMO) of Meherpur General Hospital, said 1,313 patients were admitted to the hospital in the last one week.
Of these, 223 were diarrhoea patients and 210 were discharged after improvement. Besides, 450 women received treatment at the Department of Medicine and Gynecology and 240 children were admitted to pediatric department of the hospital during the period, he said.
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Gangni Upazila Health Complex Dr Abdullah Maruf said 352 patients were admitted to the health complex in a week.
Of them, 112 were children, 146 women and 94 men.
The number of elderly patients and children was high, he added.
Ahsan Habib, a doctor working in the emergency department of Mujibnagar Upazila Health Complex, said 80 patients were admitted to the Upazila Health Complex in the last one week. Most of them were children and elderly patients.
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Jaminur Rahman, in-charge of the Chuadanga Meteorological Office, said, “a severe heat wave has been sweeping Chuadanga for the last few days. Now it has turned into a very intense heat wave. The highest temperature of this season was recorded at 42.4 degrees Celsius in the district. There is no chance of rain in the region now.”
The authorities concerned of the hospitals across the country have been instructed to be prepared to deal with adverse conditions amid a severe heat wave, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Samanta Lal Sen on Sunday.
“Due to the severe heat wave, the hospital authorities have been asked not to admit patients under cold cases (those who are not emergency to provide medical treatment) and keep the hospital prepared,” he said while talking to reporters after talking with the directors and civil surgeons of the hospitals across the country.