As winter settles across Bangladesh, hospitals in the capital are witnessing a steady surge in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses—particularly pneumonia. From the crowded wards of Bangladesh Shishu Hospital to the medicine units of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), families are arriving from across the country seeking urgent care for loved ones struggling to breathe.
Health experts say the seasonal shift—warm days followed by sharply cooler nights—combined with dry air and increased dust levels is driving the rise in respiratory infections. Children, elderly people, and those with pre-existing conditions remain the most vulnerable.
Doctors say the sudden temperature drops in recent weeks have triggered a wave of respiratory complications, with hospitals reporting a continuous flow of moderate to critical pneumonia cases. Specialists suggested that early care and basic preventive measures could significantly reduce severe outcomes.
Rising number of patients
At DMCH, the medicine ward has been admitting an increasing number of severe cases. Hospital logs show nine pneumonia patients admitted over a two-day period earlier this week, with the number reaching 13 by Wednesday.
Among them is 40-year-old Billal Islam from Itna, Kishoreganj. “He was doing his regular work when he suddenly collapsed,” said his brother, Md Shafikul Islam. “Local doctors said the sudden temperature drop likely triggered pneumonia, causing fluid to accumulate in his lungs.”
Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital (Mitford Hospital) is also receiving six to seven new pneumonia patients daily, mostly from outside Dhaka, according to nurses on duty.
At Bangladesh Shishu Hospital and Institute, the paediatric wards remain crowded, with nurses moving constantly between young patients suffering from fever, persistent coughs, and breathing difficulties.
Rois Mia, a father from Keraniganj, described his panic as he brought his two-year-old daughter in with severe breathing problems. “Her fever worsened overnight, so we rushed here at dawn,” he said. “She is now improving.”
But while doctors say the caseload is typical for winter, many frontline nurses say the situation is worsening.
Senior Staff Nurse Sangeeta told TIMES that many patients arrive only after their condition becomes critical. “Most of the time, all we can do is provide nebulisers because it is already too late,” she said.
Administrative gaps
The influx of patients has highlighted administrative shortcomings as well. A nurse of Sir Salimullah Medical College and Hospital, speaking anonymously, admitted the ward lacks a formal registry for tracking pneumonia cases.
“We don’t have enough staff. It’s difficult to maintain proper records,” she said.
Attempts to obtain official statistics were unsuccessful. A duty doctor referred queries to senior official Dr Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman, who was unavailable for comment.
Preventive measures
Health specialists emphasise that early treatment and simple preventive steps can protect vulnerable groups.
“Fluctuating temperatures and dry winter air create perfect conditions for viruses and bacteria to spread,” said Dr KFM Ayaz, senior consultant of Internal Medicine at Evercare Hospital. “This environment aggravates asthma and respiratory allergies, weakens immunity, and allows infections to reach the lungs and develop into pneumonia.”
He stressed that pneumonia should not be mistaken for a common cold. “It involves inflammation inside the lungs and requires timely medical attention,” he said.
Dr Ayaz recommended early care for fever, shortness of breath, and persistent cough, along with preventive steps such as wearing masks in dusty areas and ensuring vaccinations for high-risk family members.
