Elderly woman falls prey to jaundice

RAHIM YAR KHAN:  

An elderly woman died of jaundice after battling for her life at Sheikh Zayed Hospital during the past 24 hours. The total number of casualties caused by the disease has crossed 100, Express News has learnt.

Doctors at the hospital told Express News that a patient suffering from jaundice was admitted to the health facility in critical condition. However, her condition continued to deteriorate and she later died at the hospital. The victim was identified as Hanfia Bibi, a resident of Thali Chowk.

Similarly, jaundice cases continue to be reported from Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Sadiqabad, Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Khanpur and Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Liaquatpur.

Rahim Yar Khan has been plagued with the disease that has claimed the lives of several people this year. Majority of the victims include adults and children.

Meanwhile, data collected from Shiekh Zayed Hospital showed that more than 100 people have lost their lives since the epidemic hit the district. They added that fears of more casualties cannot be ruled out.

Health experts said that arsenic contamination of underground water and a lack of filtration plants are leading causes in spreading this deadly disease. They added that raising awareness and concerted measures regarding prevention can help overcome the outbreak.

Experts added that the core reason behind the rise of this contagion is the increase in the levels of arsenic in underground water.

They said that a second reason was the lack of filtration plants in 90% of the district, forcing the local population to consume arsenic water.

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 showed that 63% of the population had the disease.