Epidemic: Deadly jaundice claims two more lives

Health experts say disease is most widespread among newborns and elderly people

RAHIM YAR KHAN: At least two people died of jaundice after battling for their lives at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Express News reported.

Doctors at the health facility said four patients suffering from jaundice were admitted to the hospital. However, the condition of two of the patients continued to deteriorate and they later died at the facility. The victims were identified as 70-year-old Ali Nawaz and 40-year-old Muneer Ahmed.

Other patients being provided treatment at the hospital were identified as 45-year-old Jameel Ahmed and 35-year-old Abdul Manan.

The doctors said that a large number of jaundice cases continue to be reported at the health facility on a daily basis. They stated that the medical staff was utilising all the available resources to provide treatment to save the lives of patients.

Meanwhile, jaundice cases were also reported in different hospitals across the district, including Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Sadiqabad, Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Khanpur and Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Liaquatpur.

Rahim Yar Khan has been badly affected with jaundice that has claimed lives of several people in 2018. Health experts said contaminated underground water and unavailability of water filtration plants are the main cause of spread of this disease.

Earlier, officials from the local health department conducted jaundice tests on people. Out of the 100 that were tested, 95 were found to be suffering from the disease.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2018.