Eight more fall prey to jaundice in RY Khan

Death toll exceeds 70 mark this year as govt fails to take measures

RAHIM YAR KHAN: At least eight people died of jaundice after battling for their lives at Sheikh Zayed Hospital over the last 24 hours. The total number of casualties caused by the disease has exceeded 70, data collected by Express News revealed.

Doctors at Sheikh Zayed Hospital said that 13 patients, suffering from jaundice, were admitted to the health facility. However, the condition of eight continued to deteriorate and they later died.

The victims were identified as 50-year-old Aziz Bibi, a resident of Chak No 86-P, 43-year-old Lateefan Bibi, Jannat Bibi, 60, 65-year-old Ameeran Bibi, 70-year-old Shamim Bibi, Mukhtaran Bibi, 70, Gul Sher, 80 and 61-year-old Muhammad Nawaz.



Other patients being provided treatment at the hospital were identified as 40-year-old Amna Bibi, 40-year-old Nado Mai, 30-year-old Shahnaz Bibi, Siddiq,25, and 60-year-old Asmatullah.

The doctors said that the condition of the patients was critical. They said efforts were being made to save their lives. They added most victims included elderly people.

Rahim Yar Khan has been plagued with jaundice and the disease has claimed the lives of several people this year. Most of the victims included adults and children.

Meanwhile, data collected from Shiekh Zayed Hospital stated that more than 70 people have lost their lives since the epidemic hit the district.

Health experts said that more casualties cannot be ruled out. Health experts said arsenic contamination of underground water and a lack of filtration plants are the leading causes in the spread of this potentially fatal disease. They added raising awareness and concerted prevention measures could help overcome the outbreak.

When Express News collected and reviewed test reports from the district’s three rural health centres, two district headquarters hospitals and Shiekh Zayed Hospital, it transpired that 63% of the population had the disease.



People are dying of jaundice on a daily basis in Rahim Yar Khan. Just a few days ago, as many as five women fell victim to the disease. The victims were identified as 40-year-old Salima Bibi, 50-year-old Naziran Bibi, 50-year-old Kulsoom Iqbal, Anwar Mai, 65, and 27-year-old Taj Bibi.

Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and the whites of the eyes caused by increased amounts of bilirubin in the blood. The disease mainly affects the liver. Jaundice is a sign of an underlying disease process.

Bilirubin is a by-product of the daily natural breakdown and destruction of red blood cells in the body. The hemoglobin molecule that is released into the blood by this process is split, with the heme portion undergoing a chemical conversion to bilirubin. Normally, the liver metabolizes and excretes the bilirubin in the form of bile. However, if there is a disruption in this normal metabolism and/or production of bilirubin, jaundice may result.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2018.