The number of children being admitted to Da Nang’s hospitals with respiratory and digestive diseases has significantly increased due to the recent prolonged heatwave.

Parents with their children waiting for getting medicines ….

In particular, the Paediatric and Maternity Hospital and the Da Nang General Hospital have seen a growing number of child patients who are more susceptible to heat and digestion-related diseases.

In addition to local children, the hospitals have received an increasing number of child patients from such neighbouring localities as Quang Nam and Quang Ngai provinces.

… and medical examinations at the Maternity and Paediatrics Hospital

According to the latest figures released by the Paediatric and Maternity Hospital, the hospital has been receiving an average of between 1,200 and 1,400 child patients each day. As of 23 April, a total of 150 children had been admitted to the hospital.

Dr Le Van Dung, Deputy Head of the hospital’s Emergency Department, noted children are at a higher risk of becoming ill than adults during hot weather.

He added over recent days his hospital has seen an up to 40% increase in the number of child patients compared with normal days. Most of them have suffered from respiratory, digestion and dermatological diseases, plus viral fever.

Parents are advised to ensure good personal hygiene and nutritional meals for their children during the heat weather conditions.

The doctor warned that under extreme heat conditions, children are vulnerable to dehydration, and a weakened immune system.

Mr Dung, therefore, advised that parents should ensure good personal hygiene and nutritional meals for their children, as well as make sure that they drink enough water and avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight between 10.00am and 3.00pm each day.  

Also, he advised the public to store food properly, cook food well, drink boiled water, and use food with clear origins in order to avoid food poisoning.