Jaundice outbreak: Panic grips RYK as two more die

Both patients were undergoing treatment at Sheikh Zayed Hospital

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Panic and fear has gripped Rahim Yar Khan as two more people died of jaundice on Tuesday after battling for their lives at Sheikh Zayed Hospital. The total number of casualties caused by the disease has exceeded 80, data collected by Express News revealed.

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

The victims were identified as 50-year-old Rasheed Ahmed, a resident of Moza Ghaleja and an unidentified 30-year-old woman.

Similarly, jaundice cases are also being constantly reported from Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Sadiqabad, Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Khanpur and Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Liaquatpur.

Rahim Yar Khan has been plagued with jaundice and the disease has claimed the lives of several people this year. Hundreds succumb to the disease each year and the government has failed to counter the situation effectively. Most government-run hospitals lack adequate facilities and medicines to treat such patients.

Meanwhile, data collected from Shiekh Zayed Hospital stated that more than 80 people have lost their lives since the epidemic hit the district.

Health experts said arsenic contamination of underground water, reusing syringes 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.

Earlier, 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.

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