Woman dies of jaundice in Rahim Yar Khan

Five more patients being treated at health facility

RAHIM YAR KHAN: A woman died of jaundice at a local hospital in Rahim Yar Khan. The total number of casualties caused by the disease has reached 55, data collected by Express News revealed.

Doctors at the health facility told Express News that six patients, suffering from jaundice, were admitted to the hospital. However, the condition of one woman continued to deteriorate and she later died at the hospital.

The victim was identified as 80-year-old Ghulam Fatima, a resident of Ubaro.

Other patients being provided treatment at the hospital were identified as 68-year-old Naseem Akhtar, 55-year-old Saleem and 55-year-old Maqsoodan, 40-year-old Janal Mai and 35-year-old Sohail.



Health experts say jaundice is a disease in which bilirubin (a waste product produced when red blood cells stop working) flows in the blood. It affects the skin and white portions in the eyes turn yellow.

They added the disease is most widespread and frequent in newborns and elderly people.

Experts pointed out that there are three types of this syndrome. The first is pre-hepatic jaundice in which people usually get infected as a result of liver ailment or injury.

The second is hepatocellular jaundice which arises due to the breakdown of red blood cells called hemolysis. The third is obstructive jaundice which could trigger due to the blockage in the bile tube that thwarts bilirubin from leaving the liver.

They said that apart from turning the skin, predominantly eyes, yellow, brown or orange, some of the most common warning signs include dark-colored urine, pale-colored stool, belly ache, weight reduction, temperature, nausea, exhaustion etc.

Health experts said if left untreated, jaundice could lead to liver failure.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2018.