An elderly man is treated at the National Geriatric Hospital. The cold snap has been blamed for an escalation in the number of senior citizens hospitalised (Photo: nhandan.com.vn)

The cold weather which has hit the northern region with temperatures of 8 to 10 Celsius degree has reportedly been accompanied by a surge in the number of people suffering from strokes.

Dao Viet Phuong, from Bach Mai Hospital’s Stroke Centre, said the centre has received 2,000 stroke patients since it was established in November.
More people have recently also been taken to the National Geriatric Hospital (NGH) and the 108 Military Hospital.
Nguyen Danh Cuong, deputy head of the Emergency and Stroke Department of the NGH, said the cold snap was the reason for an escalation in the number of senior citizens hospitalised for emergency treatment.
The hospital admitted 50-60 patients a day compared to 30-40 on normal days. Most of them are serious cases with blood pressure problems, heart diseases and strokes; some even need a ventilator, he said.