Editorial
Protection for the winter affected people
Have shelter homes for the ultrapoor
The sweeping cold wave lingering since the last week is causing immense suffering to people all over the country, especially in the northern and southern districts with children and older people becoming the worst victims. Already seven new born babies died of cold-related complications in Rangpur. As the Met office forecasts a continuation of the spell, there may be more to be fatally affected unless the most vulnerable groups are immediately attended to and cared for.
The persistent spell as well as disrupting economic activities has hindered communications owing to dense fog. But most of all, it has rendered the poor village people largely unguarded against the biting cold. Conditions of slum dwellers and floating, homeless people in cities are particularly vulnerable because they are directly exposed to cold.
A contingency plan should have been handy with the government to protect the extreme poor and destitute against cold waves by providing them with warm clothes. More important is the need for arranging make-shift shelters for them like we cater for during floods and other natural disasters. Special emphasis should be placed on northern districts such as Rangpur and Dinajpur.
Treatment facilities for winter-induced diseases are also inadequate. Children's death in Rangpur has also brought to light the poor logistics that RMCH is provided with. Only three of the fourteen incubators for the paediatrics wards were in order, which explains why none of the victims could be saved. So, healthcare facilities in government hospitals must be put on a stronger footing in winter.
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