Over 200 children have been admitted to two hospitals in Jhenaidah with symptoms of pneumonia, diarrhoea and measles amid scorching heat and sudden weather changes, putting the local healthcare system under severe strain.

The situation has been further aggravated by frequent load-shedding, leaving sick children struggling in sweltering hospital wards without adequate ventilation, said witnesses and patients’ relatives.

At the 250-bed Jhenaidah General Hospital, 197 children are currently receiving treatment in the pediatric ward which has only 46 beds, said Jahangir Hossain, the hospital’s statistics officer.

Of them, 80 children are suffering from pneumonia, 97 from diarrhea and viral infections while another 20 have been admitted with symptoms of measles.

The situation is also critical at the city’s 25-bed Specialised Children’s Hospital where 21 more children are being treated with symptoms of measles and pneumonia.

With beds unavailable at the general hospital, many children are receiving treatment on the floor, verandas and passageways, said relatives of patients.

Relatives of patients said frequent power outages are making the situation even more difficult amid the intense heat.

When fans stop working, children suffering from fever and breathing difficulties become restless while mothers use hand fans to provide some relief in the NCUs and pediatric wards.

Pediatrician Dr Anwarul Islam of Jhenaidah General Hospital said cases of pneumonia and diarrhea normally increase during seasonal transitions but the number of affected children is considerably higher this year.

“Children are falling sick quickly because they are struggling to adjust to the extreme heat and sudden changes in weather,” he said, adding that children from rural areas appeared to be particularly affected.

He also expressed concern over overcrowding in the hospital, saying the number of patients is already far beyond the available beds, while excessive numbers of relatives and visitors are increasing the risk of infection.

“Because of the overcrowding and the risk of infection, children are taking longer to recover,” he said.

Dr Anwarul advised parents to keep children away from direct sunlight, ensure they receive sufficient water and fluids, and avoid stale or spoiled food during the extreme weather.

Meanwhile, parents of hospitalised children have urged the authorities to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to hospitals and discourage unnecessary gatherings of visitors and relatives so that critically ill children can receive proper care in the hot weather.