AN INCREASE in the number of patients, especially children and the elderly, with complaints of cold-related diseases and death from such diseases warrants special measures. Besides, patients with diseases that are usually aggravated by cold weather, including respiratory problems, diarrhoea, jaundice, skin diseases, fever and others, have crowded hospitals since the onset of the winter. As the Directorate General of Health Services says, at least 19 people died of cold-related diseases and 85,469 others have taken treatment for diseases such as pneumonia, asthma, cold and diarrhoea in November 15鈥揇ecember 8. The Bangladesh Shishu Hospital has reported a sudden surge in the number of patients. Hospital data show that some 130 patients are admitted to the hospital daily and another 1,200 patients are given outdoor treatment. Other hospitals and healthcare facilities have also reported a surge in patients with cold-related diseases. Persistent air pollution in cities, especially in Dhaka and adjacent areas, has made the situation bad for children and the elderly. Physicians say that patients with asthma and other respiratory diseases are the most vulnerable group.
With a fall in temperature, which is to continue on and off for two months, cold-related diseases are likely to intensify. Hospitals are already struggling to deliver proper treatment and care facilities for patients. In such a situation, special care needs to be provided for children, the elderly and the homeless to prevent death from cold-related diseases. What is also worrying is that government and privately organised relief distribution often takes place at the fag end of the winter, letting poor people suffer. No comprehensive relief mechanism on part of the government is still visible to help relieve the homeless and the poor of the cold and cold-related illnesses. Hundreds of thousands of poor people are faced with cold, which will only intensify in the days to come. People in the north, home to hundreds of thousands of people living below the poverty line, are hit the hardest. The northern districts have already seen a decline in temperature. In several northern districts, temperatures hovered around 12鈥�14掳C. Residents and local representatives say that there has been no relief distribution yet among the poor, leaving them vulnerable.
The authorities should, therefore, step up efforts to help patients with cold-related diseases and enhance the capabilities of the hospitals, especially public, to deliver proper treatment for an increasing number of patients. Awareness among people of how to deal with cold spells can also help them better prepare and take care of themselves. The government should also attend to air pollution, which worsens the impact of cold-related diseases. The government should also undertake an early relief programme to help people in poverty fight the cold weather.
