NILPHAMARI — The number of diarrhea patients has risen alarmingly in Nilphamari, with 243 people admitted to Nilphamari General Hospital in the past seven days, putting doctors and health workers under strain, officials said.
Dr. Debashish Sarkar, the resident medical officer at Nilphamari General Hospital, confirmed the figures Friday morning.
According to hospital authorities, 243 people, including 80 children, were admitted with diarrhea over the past seven days. Of them, 210 have recovered and returned home and the rest are still under treatment. Because of a bed shortage, many patients are taking treatment lying on the floor.
Doctors said the surge in diarrhea cases was driven by a sudden rise in temperatures, a shortage of clean water and consumption of unhygienic food. Many people, particularly children and the elderly, are also being hit by seasonal fever. Efforts are underway to keep the supply of saline and medicines steady.
In addition, six children have been hospitalized with measles symptoms. They have been placed in an isolation ward, and samples have been collected and sent to Dhaka.
Babli Begum, the mother of a child named Zobair, said her son had been suffering from fever, loose motions, and cold and cough. “I admitted him to the hospital yesterday morning,” she said. “By evening a rash and pustules appeared all over his body. The doctors said these are measles symptoms.”
Monwara Begum, the mother of another patient, said her child suddenly developed loose motions. “I rushed him to the hospital and learned he had diarrhea,” she said. “Treatment is underway.”
Sarkar said the hospital had taken necessary steps to handle the situation and was ensuring the supply of needed medicines. The number of patients was rising daily because of changes in the weather, he said.
Awareness campaigns in various areas are emphasizing hygiene, drinking clean water and washing hands before meals. Officials are also urging residents to drink boiled water, maintain cleanliness and visit the nearest health center quickly if symptoms appear, to prevent diarrhea and fever.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report