Pneumonia kills 49 children in B'baria

As the mercury is dipping, the number of children being brought to hospitals with the diseases is increasing, most of them coming from rural areas. At least 35 children were brought to the Sadar Hospital alone since Monday, sources there said yesterday.

Doctors said children being attacked with pneumonia, broncholites, viral pneumonia and throat sore due to lack of awareness among parents.

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Dr. Narayon Chandra Shah, child specialist at the Sadar Hospital, said on an average, at least ten patients are being admitted to the hospital with respiratory problems every day.

During a visit to the Sadar Hospital on Tuesday, 62 admitted patients were seen being treated at the child ward.

But there are only 11 beds at the ward. Fifty-one patients were seen lying on mats on the hospital floor with their mothers.

Talking to this correspondent, some of the parents alleged that nurses were realising Tk 20 to Tk 30 from them each time for use of nebuliser for their children, a treatment vital for respiratory problem. Abdul Kadir, father of six-year-old Nazma alleged that he had to give Tk 30 for using the machine.

When asked, nurses however refuted the allegation.