Nine gastro patients admitted to hospitals in RY Khan

Health official says sharp increase in temperature resulted in increasing number of cases

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Nine patients, including a large number of children suffering from gastro-related ailments, were admitted to hospitals across Rahim Yar Khan. More than 20 people suffering from gastroenteritis were admitted to different health facilities over the past 24 hours.



Those admitted to hospitals included 19-year-old Afshan Bibi, eight-year-old Surraya Bibi, 11-year-old Hassan, 10-month-old Shah Zaman, 18-year-old Samia Bibi, two-year-old Faiz Aman and others.

A health official, requesting anonymity, told Express News that the sharp increase in temperature has caused an increasing number of gastro cases across the district. He added that the facilities in government hospitals have fallen short as a result of the influx of patients.

“To make matters worse, the statistics compiled by the provincial headquarter do not include those individuals who are being treated at private hospitals, clinics and health centres,” a health department official said.

He added that if their data was included, the number of patients might be higher than what current figures suggest.

Meanwhile, doctors at the hospital said that the consumption of unhygienic food, drinks and contaminated water were major causes for such infectious diseases. They said that the majority of patients fall victim to these ailments due to the extreme heat and by using contaminated water.

They advised people to take precautions and to avoid eating unhealthy food items and drinks.

The health department’s official record reveals that at least 193,117 patients suffered from gastroenteritis during 2017. All the patients were admitted to government-run hospitals in Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Jhelum, Kasur, Khanewal, Layyah, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Sheikhupra, Toba Tek Singh, Vehari, Bhakkar, Chiniot, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang, Lodran Mianwali, Muzaffargarh, Nankana Sahib and other cities.



The highest number of patients suffering from the disease was reported in Lahore followed by DG Khan, Sheikhupura, Multan, Bahawalpur and Faisalabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2018.