The scorching heat and intense sunlight in Rajshahi have created a difficult situation for residents. The heatwave has had a significant impact on public health, resulting in a surge of illnesses such as fever, colds, coughs, and diarrhoea.
The lines outside medical doctors' chambers and hospitals are growing longer as more patients seek treatment.
During a visit to the Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) on Thursday, it was observed that there was no room to spare on the veranda of the children's ward, and the wards were overcrowded with patients. The same situation was observed in the hospital's medicine ward.
Long queues of patients were also seen in front of the chambers of child and medicine specialists at the outdoor department.
The number of deaths from heatstroke is rising.
The hospital's indoor, outdoor, and emergency departments, as well as the upazila health complexes and private hospitals and clinics, are facing increasing patient loads.
The hospital’s data shows that on Tuesday, 19 patients were treated for diarrhoea in the outdoor department, 38 in the indoor department, and 78 in the emergency department.
The numbers increased on Wednesday, with 24 children under the age of 12 admitted with diarrhoea and 14 children over the age of 12 admitted. On Thursday, the number of children under the age of 12 admitted with diarrhoea increased again to 35, and 15 children over 12 were admitted.
Afroza Begum, standing in the outdoor department with her child, said: "My 18-month-old has been suffering from colds, coughs, and fever for a few days. Despite taking medicine from a local pharmacy, the child did not recover. Later, I visited the government hospital, where I had to wait in a long line."
Nurbanu Begum, a resident of Bagha upazila in Rajshahi, took her child to the emergency department two days ago due to diarrhoea and dehydration. Now, the child's condition has improved significantly.
According to health experts, diarrhoea is a waterborne disease caused by drinking contaminated water. It is generally assumed that a person has diarrhoea if they have three or more loose motions in a day.
The problem worsens with the onset of heat, especially affecting children and teenagers. Unhealthy and unhygienic living conditions, defecating near water sources, not washing hands properly, improper food storage, and frequent power outages leading to spoiled food in refrigerators at home, restaurants, or shops are among the leading causes of diarrhoea. Health officials urge caution in this regard.
RMCH Director Brigadier General F M Shamim Ahmmed said: “The outbreak of diarrhoea has increased due to weather-related factors, and necessary measures have been taken considering the situation.”
Rajshahi Civil Surgeon Dr Abu Syeed Mohammad Faruk said: “Diarrhoea patients are also coming to the upazila level, but it has not reached epidemic proportions. People are consuming more unhealthy food, particularly street food, contributing to the rise in diarrhoea cases. Alongside treatment, awareness programs are also being conducted at the upazila level.”
Meanwhile, in the scorching heat of Rajshahi, the demand for coconuts and medicines has increased, making the coconut business in the Laxmipur area quite bustling. However, patients and their relatives are distressed over the high prices of coconuts.
In the Laxmipur area, a single coconut was seen being sold for up to Tk180 on Wednesday.
Coconuts are being traded wholesale at under Tk100.
Ashraf Ali, a coconut seller in front of the Zero Point Mosque in Rajshahi area, said: “There was not such a demand for coconuts even before Eid. After Eid, the heat increased, and so did the demand for coconuts. Consequently, coconuts are being sold at higher prices. He has three varieties of coconuts priced at Tk140, Tk130, and Tk110.”
Another coconut seller, Md Monir Hossain, said that he is selling large coconuts for Tk150 each, medium ones for Tk130-140, and small ones for Tk110-120.
Customers complained about the high prices amid the soaring heat.
When asked about the rising coconut prices, Md Ibrahim Hossain, deputy director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate's Rajshahi Divisional Office, initially said: "I have no comment."
Moments later, he said: "It is an agricultural product. You know how it's sold."
