Joypurhat Correspondent:
After three days of continuous rain, the number of diarrhea patients in Joypurhat has increased alarmingly in the scorching heat. In the last five days, 418 patients have been admitted to Joypurhat General Hospital due to diarrhea. Most of them are children and the elderly.
According to hospital sources, 138 people were admitted to the hospital on Saturday (October 4), 101 on Sunday, 129 from Monday to Tuesday afternoon and another 48 were admitted until Wednesday morning. Doctors and nurses are struggling to cope with such a sudden pressure of patients.
After visiting various wards and corridors of the hospital, it was seen that many patients are receiving treatment on the floor or on the balcony due to lack of beds. They are being given saline on the floor.
Jalal Uddin of Masterpara in the municipality said, on Monday (October 6) evening, my wife started vomiting and defecating. When she was brought to the hospital, she had to receive treatment on the balcony due to lack of beds.
Patient Gopal Prasad said that the water supplied by the municipality contains dirt. I got sick after drinking that water. I was admitted on Sunday, but I have not fully recovered yet.
Hazera Banu of Chatkhur village said that her daughter has been suffering from diarrhea since eating sweets at the puja fair. The vomiting and diarrhea have not stopped yet. Alauddin of Khetlal said, my son is also vomiting along with diarrhea. I do not understand why.
Hospital nurse Sadia Ira said that it is still not clear why so many patients are suddenly increasing. However, such incidents have happened before due to water leakage from the municipality.
Assistant physician Dr. Md. Haris said that most of the patients are residents of the municipality. Many are citing water pollution as the reason. It will be confirmed if tested.
Municipality sanitary inspector Mamunur Rashid said that the water from the affected areas has been sent to the Bogra lab for testing. No error was found in the test. If it was due to water, the entire municipality would have been affected, so the complaint is not correct.
Hospital superintendent Dr. Sardar Rashed Mubarak said, the pressure of diarrhea patients for five days is several times higher than normal. Both the municipality’s water supply and open food can be the reason for this.
Joypurhat Civil Surgeon Dr. Al Mamun said, diarrhea is a water-borne disease, so it spreads from contaminated water or adulterated food. After learning about the incident, we held an emergency meeting with all the departments concerned. Initially, it is believed that there is a problem with the water supply. The municipal administrator has been asked to take immediate action.