Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan — Rising temperatures in Balkh Province have led to the deaths of six children from diarrhea over the past two months, according to sources at the province’s central hospital.
Officials at the Abu Ali Sina Balkhi Hospital report that the intense heat has resulted in about 100 patients with seasonal illnesses seeking treatment daily.
Balkh is currently experiencing scorching, sunny weather, with temperatures reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
Shima, a caregiver for one of the patients, said, “My child fell ill due to the hot days and cold nights. This fluctuation in temperature causes illness.” She urges other mothers to ensure their children are not exposed to extreme heat or cold.
Doctors at the hospital recommend that mothers take preventive measures to protect their children from seasonal illnesses. Nader Habibi, a pediatric specialist, advised, “As the weather gets hotter, it is crucial for mothers to breastfeed their children because breast milk contains essential vitamins.”
Sources also highlighted the lack of sufficient human resources and medical facilities in the pediatric department of the central hospital, prompting many patients to seek care at private hospitals in the province.
