Gastroenteritis claiming lives at camps

More than 500,000 people in relief camps around the Guddu and Sukkur barrages now fighting the threat of an epidemic.

SUKKUR: They may have survived the floods, but more than 500,000 people who have sought refuge in relief camps around the Guddu and Sukkur barrages are now fighting the threat of an epidemic in the shape of gastroenteritis.

More than 30 flood survivors have died at relief camps within the last week due to a lack of medical facilities while many are sick and waiting for medical help as doctors are nowhere to be found.

The Relief Campus is one of the few places in Sukkur that was set up to provide shelter to flood survivors. However, its accommodations are not enough to house the large number of survivors who need shelter and medical help. Moreover, bad water and unhygienic food have also allowed gastroenteritis to spread in the area.

Azizan, a resident of Kandhkot, lost everything in the floods after which she reached Sukkur, only to be chased by diseases. She is now worried about her daughter, who has gastroenteritis.

“I have young children. Some died while some are sick. I am also sick but the doctors aren’t coming. No one is listening to us,” she said.

Azizan is not the only one suffering from the disease. Troubles have yet to end for thousands of people from the interior Sindh after gastroenteritis became rampant. Some people have been admitted to hospitals while many are still awaiting medical aid at camps.

However, Sukkur DCO Inamullah Dharejo believes that the worse has yet to come.

“These are isolated cases of gastroenteritis in the area, but the disease has yet to develop into an epidemic,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2010.