With the advent of colder weather, cases of pneumonia, diarrhoea and respiratory illness have been reported across the country particularly among children. In Dhaka Shishu Hospital, the number of pneumonia patients is reportedly on the rise, with 59 admissions for pneumonia and 10 for diarrhoea on Sunday, compared to 30 pneumonia admissions and 5 diarrhoea admissions a week ago. An average of 200 children is now receiving outdoor treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital every day for cold, diarrhoea and pneumonia.
Parents need to be made aware of how deadly pneumonia and diarrhoea can be for their children. There is a lot of misconception particularly about pneumonia. Most people believe it is comparable to the seasonal flu. And it can be mitigated using over the counter medication. Along with medication, the significance of cleanliness in preventing pneumonia and diarrhoea needs also to be understood. So, parents should monitor their children's breathing conditions, stool, and body temperature seriously so that they can rush them to the hospital when needed.
Badsha Faysal,
Jurain, Dhaka,
badshafaysal1998@gmail.com