Dr Saeed Rahman, a pediatrician in Warhi told The Express Tribune that he checked more than 50 patients suffering from gastroenteritis at his private clinic, while more than 170 were taken to the THQ. No casualties have been reported so far. “We discharge the patients after giving them intravenous fluids,” he added.
The doctor further said that gastroenteritis was increasing because of increased consumption of contaminated water and unhygienic food.
Dr Zahid Khan, the supervisor at the emergency ward at DHQ Upper Dir, said they have received more than 300 patients after Eid. “Although this is not an alarming situation, we need to cure it before it turns into cholera, which we will not be able to control,” he added.
Dr Zahid Khan said that after treatment patients are suggested to improve their personal hygiene and cleanliness of the area they live in, but they fail to do so.
DHO Upper Dir Dr Tila Roghani said that the situation is not shocking. “If out of a population of 0.7 million, 300 or 400 people are suffering from gastroenteritis, it is not a big deal. We are providing these patients with basic treatment.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 24th, 2012.
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