Gastro, jaundice epidemic kills three

Official reports do not include patients who visit private hospitals

RAHIM YAR KHAN: At least three people died of jaundice and gastroenteritis while 16 others, including 10 children, were admitted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital over the past 24 hours in Rahim Yar Khan.

The total number of casualties has exceeded 90 since this latest outbreak, data collected by Express News showed.

Health officials at Sheikh Zayed Hospital said that 26-year-old Asia Bibi, 51-year-old Pehlwan and 50-year-old Asmatullah were admitted to the health facility in critical condition after contracting jaundice and gastro.

However, their condition continued to deteriorate and they died at the hospital. The bodies of the victims were handed over to their families after legal formalities.



Meanwhile, 16 people infected with gastro and jaundice were also admitted to the health facility. Among the patients admitted were 10 children. Those infected included six-year-old Noorul Huda, one-year-old Mishal Fatima, 40-year-old Sughran Bibi, 22-year-old Sumera Bibi and 45-year-old Naseem Mai.

The jaundice and gastroenteritis epidemic hit the district earlier this year and has claimed lives of several people. However, efforts on the part of the government to counter the situation have not been satisfactory, locals said.



The number of fatalities caused by such diseases has exceeded 90 in Rahim Yar Khan. Surprisingly, official reports did not include those patients who visited private health facilities. It was suspected that the number could have doubled if these cases are reported.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2018.