A heatwave sweeping across Bangladesh has disrupted daily life, with children particularly vulnerable to health risks.
Over the past week, the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute has reported a surge in pediatric patients suffering from heat-related illnesses.
Hospital authorities report that an average of 200 to 300 children are receiving treatment daily in both emergency and inpatient departments for conditions such as colds, fevers, diarrhoea, jaundice, and hepatitis.
The affected children range in age from two months to 14 years.
Pediatric specialists warn that children are the most vulnerable during this extreme heat.
To protect them from heat-related illnesses, they advise avoiding outside food and drinks, encouraging frequent intake of safe drinking water, and wiping their bodies with wet cloths or towels every few hours.
A visit to the Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute on Tuesday afternoon revealed long queues of parents with sick children waiting outside the emergency department.
Among them was Suraiya Begum, who stood behind 39 others, holding her six-month-old son.
She had come from Kamrangirchar and said that her son, Raihan, has been suffering from fever and cold for several days due to the intense heat.
Despite administering medicine from a local pharmacy, his fever did not subside, prompting her to bring him to the hospital.
Meanwhile, Debasmita Pal, a resident of Mohammadpur’s Bosila area, was with her eight-year-old daughter Sushmita.
She said that her child has had a fever and stomach issues for several days. “The doctor said it is likely due to the heat. We did some tests, and I am here now with the reports to see what the doctor says.”
Although some rainfall has brought slight relief, high humidity levels are making the heat feel more intense.
Consequently, hospital crowds continue to grow.
According to sources at the children’s hospital, in 24 hours, 275 children had received treatment—35 for pneumonia, 180 for common colds and fevers, and 60 for diarrhoea.
Among them, five children were admitted with pneumonia and three with diarrhoea.
Over a period of five days alone, 160 children had been treated for pneumonia, 623 for colds and fevers, and 215 for diarrhoea.
At the hospital’s diarrhoea ward, children of various ages were receiving treatment.
Near the entrance, Asma Begum was waiting with her 10-month-old daughter Rukaiya, who needed a saline drip.
She said: “We could not get a bed, so we are staying on the floor. Her condition worsened quickly, so we had to admit her immediately. We came just to see a doctor, but they recommended admission. I had fed her khichuri yesterday (Monday) afternoon, and shortly after, she started vomiting. She then developed diarrhoea at night. This morning, we had no choice but to rush her to the emergency unit.”
What parents should do
Dr Md Imon, resident medical officer (RMO) at the emergency department, said: “In recent days, the majority of children visiting us are suffering from colds, fevers, diarrhoea, and jaundice. The rise in temperature has led to an increase in such cases. Most patients are aged between one month and 10 years.
"Currently, about 100 children are being treated in the emergency unit alone. Including both indoor and outdoor departments, 200 to 300 children are receiving treatment daily for heat-related illnesses and other conditions.”
Regarding prevention, Imon told Dhaka Tribune that the main causes of these illnesses are excessive sweating and the consumption of unhygienic street food such as fuchka, chotpoti, bhel puri, fried items, and soft drinks.
He suggested children avoid such foods. “If they sweat excessively, parents should wipe their bodies with wet cloths and ensure they drink plenty of water.”
"For those with air conditioning at home, the temperature should be maintained around 25°C. For households with fans, avoid letting the air blow directly on the children. Additionally, children under one year of age should only be breastfed and not given any other food. During this extreme heat, it is best to keep children indoors as much as possible.”
