A sudden outbreak of diarrhoea in Galachipa of Patuakhali has put hundreds of people --mainly children-- in the hospital with the number increasing at an alarming rate.
The outbreak was caused by extreme heat over the last few days. On average 60 to 70 patients are coming daily to the Galachipa Upazila Health Complex.
The 50-bedded hospital has to face challenges as there are no sufficient facilities to treat the patients.
Most of the affected people are being treated at home. Only serious patients are coming for treatment at hospitals.
Puramin Haoladar, father of a six-month-old baby named Yasin, said, “My son has been brought to the hospital hours after his condition worsened.
“But he cannot be admitted as there is no seat in the hospital. The condition of my child is deteriorating,” he added.
“Yasin started vomiting and having loose motion earlier this week. I gave him primary treatment at home. But since he was not recovering I brought him to the hospital,” said Puramin.
Dr Mohammad Shahriar, physician of the health complex, said: “The number of diarrhoea patients is increasing. Eight patients including children got admitted to the hospital yesterday.”
There are only 50 beds in the hospital; however, since the number of patients admitted in the hospital is double the number of beds available, patients are being given treatment in corridors and stairwells.
Upazila Health Complex Health and Family Planning official Dr Monirul Islam said: “Due to the changes in weather and extreme heat, more children have been severely affected by the disease.”
More than 50 patients have been admitted to the hospital over the last two days, he added.
