Deadly jaundice claims another seven lives at Sheikh Zayed Hospital

RAHIM YAR KHAN: People in the district continue to grapple with jaundice as seven people, including five women, died of the disease after battling for their lives at Sheikh Zayed Hospital over the last 48 hours. The total number of casualties caused by the disease has exceeded 60, data collected by Express News revealed.

Doctors at Sheikh Zayed Hospital told Express News that seven patients suffering from jaundice were admitted to the health facility. However, their condition deteriorated and they later died at the hospital.



The victims were identified as 70-year-old Jameela Bibi, a resident of Chak No 116-B, 80-year-old Iqbal Bibi, 50-year-old Hafizan Bibi, Zarina Bibi, 40, Samina Bibi, 40, 14-year-old Mukhtar Bibi, 70-year-old Nazeer Ahmed and Imam Bakhsh, 40.

The bodies of the victims were handed over to their families after the completion of legal formalities.

While speaking to Express News, health experts said that 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 the white portions of the eyes turn yellow.

They added the disease is most widespread and is 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 a 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 be triggered by a blockage in the bile tube which blocks bilirubin from leaving the liver.



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

They pointed out if left untreated, jaundice could lead to liver failure. 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2018.