Diarrhoea and other heat related diseases see rise amid the heat wave sweeping across the district and surrounding areas. 

"In unusual hot weather, increased viral attack causes various diseases like diarrhoea, high fever, intestine diseases, and respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis, especially to children and elderly people," said Dr Enamul Huque, child specialist in 100-bed Nilphamari district hospital.

"People sweat a lot this time, resulting in shortage of glucose and minerals in the body and consequent weakness," he added.

The control room of district civil surgeon's office said 325 diarrhoea patients were admitted to different upazila health complexes and the district hospital in last seven days and 500-600 others took treatment in outdoors.

"Low income people are especially vulnerable to heat related diseases as they often drink contaminated cold water and uncovered food at roadside shops after hard work in unbearable heat for long. School going children are also at risk," said Dr Hasinur Rahman, resident medical officer of the Nilphamari hospital.

Too much heat at daytime and cold at night caused by climatic change also adds to the problem, said Dr Hasinur, also a public health expert.

"I have been staying at the hospital for last four days as my one-year-old son Sakibul is attacked with high fever and respiratory problem. He is improving as doctors are regularly visiting him and giving medicine," Morsheda Begum, 25, of Dhonipara village said during this correspondent's visit to children's ward of the hospital yesterday.

Sumona Akhtar, 24, of Panchapukur village said she took her two-year-old son Nafid to the hospital two days ago as he was suffering from diarrhoea.

Both the mothers said they have to sleep in turn as two or three children along with their mothers are given a bed.

In diarrhoea ward, rickshaw puller Mohabbat Hossain, 45, was groaning on the bed due to dehydration caused by loose motion and vomiting.

A nurse injected him with powerful intravenous saline.

Sitting beside, his wife Olima Begum, 35, said her husband was attacked with diarrhoea as he drank a lot of contaminated cold water from a footpath hotel in empty stomach after pulling rickshaw in severe heat.

Nilphamari Civil Surgeon Abdur Rashid said, "There is adequate medicine and saline in hospital storeroom to tackle the situation. People should remain cautious and follow health rules as prevention is better than cure."