Heat wave claims 6 babies in Thakurgaon in 2 days

Patients affected with heat-related diseases taking treatment on the floor of Dinajpur Sadar Hospital. PHOTO: STAR

Most of the infants died from pneumonia. The disease spread as there is excessive heat during daytime, doctors at Sadar hospitals in Dinajpur and Thakurgaon told this correspondent yesterday.

All the deaths have been reported from Thakurgaon, according sources at the Sadar Hospital. The victims are one year-old Joy, son of Amitabh Barman of Harinarayanpur village in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila; days-old Anwar Hossain, son of Bhagdal Haque of Baniapara village in Danadarhat union in sadar upazila; seven-day old Babu, son of Abdul Bashar of Singragram village in Doulatpur union; five-day old Rabu, daughter of Sadekur Islam of Ghuradangi , village in Pirganj; four-day old Shaju, son of Monwar Hossain of Natun Bashi village in Boda union and two-month old Rukharu, son of Chiranjeet Barman of Mirjapur village in Atwai upazila in Thakurgaon district.

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Hospital sources many people including aged ones are coming to the sadar hospital every day after they fall sick due to the heat wave.

Hospital sources claimed that lack of accommodation and oxygen cylinder are affecting their treatment. This correspondent during a visit to Dinajpur Sadar Hospital saw patients on floors as there was no empty bed.

There were only three oxygen cylinders at Thakurgaon hospital, which is too inadequate to cope the rush of patients, said doctor Md. Shajahan Newaj at Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital over telephone.

He said at least 250 infants were admitted to the hospital since Wednesday.

The mercury moved between 34-38 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and Thursday in Dinajpur, sources at the local meteorological department said.

"Though there is excessive heat during day time, the temperature falls at night. This is abnormal weather", one official said.

Along with the heat wave, erratic power supply and water crisis have increased people's sufferings.

They said the temperature may rise again if there is no heavy shower in a couple of days.

Most people in Dinajpur town now keep indoors during day time due to scorching heat.