The north and central regions of Vietnam are currently reeling under a severe heat wave with temperatures rising upto 39-40 degrees celsius in some places.
Hot weather conditions have not only reversed daily activities of residents but are also driving children and the elderly to hospitals.
Hanoi-based National Children Hospital is overcrowded with sick children and family members waiting long hours in lobbies, staircases and gardens outside.
Dr. Can Phu Nhuan, head of Examination Division, said although the heat has just struck Hanoi in the last few days, there is an increase in the number of children being admitted.
Each day the hospital receives around 2,000 sick children, an increase of 20 percent against normal days.
Some hospitals in Hanoi even received patients from the northern provinces of Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An resulting in overcrowding with two or three children to a bed.
Saint Paul Hospital in Hanoi receives up to 500 child patients with ailments such as respiratory diseases, fever, pneumonia and diarrhea.
The numbers of sick elderly has doubled in hospitals recently, with one hospital receiving more than 300 elderly people with ailments like heart disease, high blood pressures, cerebrovascular accident and pneumonia.
Temperatures in Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri and Quang Binh are 42 degrees celsius, with hot and dry westerly winds from Laos worsening the situation. Hot weather is drawing crowds to beaches in the Central Vietnam.
Many arrive at beaches early to find a place to park and bathe. Thousands have descended from towns like Hue and Huong Tra, Huong Thuy, Thuan An, Phu Thuan and Vinh Thanh.
Residents in Thach Kim coastal commune in Loc Ha District of Ha Tinh Province are in despair as they face fresh water shortage. Most residents in Thach Kim Commune have to purchase fresh water at VND3,000 a can.
Hospitals in Thua Thien-Hue, Nghe An and Quang Nam see a hike in number of child patients.
