One diarrhoea patient admitted every 2 minutes
Diarrhoeal diseases have broken out in some parts of the capital and its outskirts in last three days, with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) in Mohakhali seeing an increased influx of patients.
According to the hospital, 1841 patients have been admitted there from 5 April to 7 April. On average, one patient is being admitted every two minutes.
Icddr,b officials said 30 per cent of the patients are infants and 35 per cent are severely affected by the disease.
The patients are mostly from Jatrabari, Kadamtali, Dakshinkhan, Badda, Lalbagh, Mirpur, Mulaid, Mohammadpur and Ramna in Dhaka.
Patients are also coming from outside of Dhaka including Keraniganj, Gazipur and Narayanganj.
Azharul Islam Khan, chief physician and head of Icddr,b told Prothom Alo that, “The number of patients has increased suddenly though the summer is yet to set in. Probably the outbreak is due to lack of safe drinking water.”
The hospital authorities on Saturday were busy preparing to accommodate the increased number of patients. Extra beds have been set up in the corridors, the lobby and study ward. The authorities have set up extra beds on ground floor of the main building too.
A private college teacher from Mirbagh area has been admitted to the study ward on Friday. He said three other members of his family were also affected by diarrhoea due to water-related problem. The water in their area is polluted, he added.
Another female patient said the disease has broken out in their locality like last year.
Hospital sources said, 622 patients got admitted on Thursday as the number of patients started to increase suddenly. Another 788 got admitted on Friday and 431 till 3:00 pm Saturday.
Azharul Islam Khan said the number of patients was much less in the corresponding period last year.
He also said, Icddr,b authorities have taken preparation to provide treatment if the number of patients increases in coming days.
The hospital provides free treatment for all.
Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation’s chairperson and nutritionist Dr SK Roy told Prothom Alo, “Food gets stale quickly in summer. It is important not to consume stale food to avoid diarrhoea.”
Maintaining hygiene, drinking safe water and washing hands before eating are prerequisites to safety from the disease, he added.
Health experts opined that avoiding street food, drinking boiled water, and taking saline or consulting physicians is necessary to prevent the disease.
They also urged the government to take necessary steps including providing water purification pills where necessary.