Rangpur Correspondent:

Dense fog and biting cold have disrupted life in Rangpur, with temperatures fluctuating between 8.6 and 11.9 degrees Celsius over recent days. Children and the elderly are the worst affected as cold-related illnesses spike.

Cases of pneumonia, breathing difficulties, cold, cough, fever, Diarrhoea, and bronchiolitis are rising rapidly among the children.

Over the past three days, 1,250 children suffering from cold-related illnesses were admitted to upazila and district hospitals across Rangpur division’s eight districts, according to Rangpur Divisional Health Director Gausul Azim Chowdhury.

“Doctors have been instructed to ensure proper medical treatment for children admitted to the hospitals with cold-related illnesses,” he told journalists.

Rangpur records 350, Dinajpur 190, Lalmonirhat 90, Kurigram 180, Nilphamari 130, Gaibandha 120, Thakugaon 95, and Panchagarh 95 patients, the officials said.

Besides, more than 4,000 received outpatient treatment at the hospitals, he said.

At Rangpur Medical College Hospital, pediatric patients—mostly aged one to five—are being forced to share beds due to severe shortages.

Sabina Begum from Rangpur city’s Tajhat area said, “My one-year-old baby has been suffering from breathing problems for the past three days. When the cold intensifies at night, the child cannot breathe properly. We had to bring the baby to the hospital and get him admitted. Seeing the death of another child before my eyes has filled me with fear.”

It is heartbreaking to see the condition of sick children in the hospital, she said

Aklima Begum from Madhupur village in Kaunia upazila, whose three-year-old son Akash Islamis  undergoing treatment there, said: “Even on Monday afternoon, our child was playing in the yard of our house. Suddenly, the child fell ill at night. After taking the child to the Upazila Health Complex, we were referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. The child has fever and breathing problems.”

Dr Tapan Kumar Roy, child specialist at Lalmonirhat Sadar Hospital, said children from poor and floating families are most vulnerable due to inadequate warm clothing, nutritious food, and proper shelter. “From morning till night, parents are coming to the hospital with their sick children. Some are being admitted for treatment, while most are treated at the outpatient department. If sick children are brought to the hospital in time, proper treatment is possible.”

Dr Mahfuzur Rahman, child specialist at the medical college hospital, explained that children’s body temperature drops rapidly during winter, weakening immunity and increasing infection risk.

“Parents are seen to be in extreme anxiety regarding their children during winter. Instead of panicking, ensuring protection from the cold will prevent children from falling ill,” he added.

Brigadier General Ashiqur Rahman, director of Rangpur Medical College Hospital, said: “Every day, child patients are being referred here from different upazilas and district hospitals. Many of these children are in critical condition. Doctors are making their utmost efforts to provide intensive medical care.”

Cold-stricken destitute people warned that without increased distribution of warm clothes through government and non-government initiatives, child deaths may rise further, with special initiatives urgently needed for children in remote char and rural areas.

This morning, Rangpur Meteorological Office recorded the lowest temperature at 8.6 degrees Celsius in Tetulia, Panchagarh. Other readings included 11.9 degrees in Rangpur, 10.5 in Kurigram, 10.8 in Lalmonirhat, 10.9 in Gaibandha, 9 in Nilphamari and Dinajpur, and 10 degrees in Thakurgaon.

Mostafizur Rahman, meteorologist and in charge of Rangpur Meteorological Office, said: “The sun has not been visible throughout the day. Combined with cold winds and fog, the intensity of the biting cold has increased further. The minimum temperature in the region may drop even more.”