More than 200 people, including children, have been affected by diarrhea in Gaibandha in the last four days.
Fifty people were admitted to Gaibandha Adhunik Sadar Hospital and Sadullapur Upazila Health Complex on Saturday.
Most of the affected people are being treated at home. Only serious patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals.
Abdus Samad Mia, 48, who is undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital, said: “I got admitted to the hospital on Saturday afternoon, hours after I had been affected.”
His 4-year old child was also admitted to the hospital.
“I started vomiting and having loose motion earlier this week. I took primary treatment at home. But since I was not recovering I got admitted to the hospital,” said Anwara Begum, 25, who is undergoing treatment at Sadullapur upazila health complex.
Dr Harun ur Rashid, resident physician of the health complex, said: “The number of diarrhea patients is increasing. Five patients including children got admitted to the hospital on Saturday.
“Besides, 10-15 patients are being treated at the outpatient department every day,” the doctor said.
Sadar Hospital’s supervisor Dr AC Saha said patients had been admitted to the hospital since March 28.
“So far, 175 patients have been treated at the diarrhea ward. Some patients already went back home after recovery,” he said.
The patients might have been affected by eating stale food and drinking contaminated water, the doctor said.
Dr Saha said there are only 20 beds in the diarrhea ward but since more than double the number of patients has been admitted there, they are given treatment in corridors and stairwells.
However, there is sufficient medicine, saline and other equipment, he further said.
Sadar Hospital’s resident physician Dr SIM Shahin said change of weather and untimely rainfall might be the reasons for the diarrhea outbreak.
Friday, March 28, 2025
