Health woes: Diarrhoea cases on the rise in Sindh
If left unchecked, the disease could develop into a pandemic.
"The condition in public hospitals is so miserable that I prefer taking my son to a private hospital even though I can hardly afford it," Adnan Ahmed, a resident of Hyderabad. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
KARACHI:
Every month, thousands of diarrhoea cases are reported across Sindh with a high number of these cases reported in Karachi.
The primary reasons for this high number seem to be abject poverty, illiteracy and a lack of basic health knowledge, claim health officials. The best way to prevent and control the potentially fatal disease is ensuring self hygiene and making a habit of using boiled water, the provincial health director general, Dr Ashfaque Memon, told The Express Tribune.
“The most effective prevention measures are to use boiled water and wash hands properly before eating,” explained Dr Memon, stressing on the need for public awareness. Nowadays, neither parents nor teachers bother to spend a few minutes to teach their children about basic health tips, he said. “We were taught about basic self- hygiene in primary schools but that culture is almost finished now.”
Nevertheless, the figures suggest that the situation is more alarming than thought previously. In this month alone, more than 29,192 cases were reported across Sindh, with the number rising steeply with each passing day. Among these cases, more than 6,000 were reported in Karachi alone.
According to Dr Memon, the main reasons for the high number in the metropolis were the water and sewage lines that run parallel to each other. Often times, the sewage water gets mixed with the main water line, he lamented. “The number of cases reported in Karachi is a clear indication of the virulence factor of these diseases and the risk it carries for densely populated communities,” he said.
“Water-borne diseases may breakout if appropriate measures are not taken,” warned Dr Memon “People use rain water mixed with drinking water. The rain water, besides containing a number of harmful bacteria, also contains faeces and other waste materials of insects.” The health official stressed upon the general public to use boiled water, particularly during the monsoon season. “The affected person must immediately take ORS and visit the hospital.”
Dr Bahawal Jamro of the Ghulam Muhammad Medical College, Sukkur, said that most diarrhoea cases had been reported in slums, remote areas and among the poorer communities. He said that the disease could be fatal for children. “Children in rural Sindh are already malnourished and their immune system is naturally weak.”
Patients, on the other hand are facing a difficult time getting treatment as the standard of public hospitals further deteriorates. “The condition in public hospitals is so miserable that I prefer taking my three-year-old son to a private hospital for treatment,” said Adnan Ahmed, a resident of Latifabad, Hyderabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2013.
Every month, thousands of diarrhoea cases are reported across Sindh with a high number of these cases reported in Karachi.
The primary reasons for this high number seem to be abject poverty, illiteracy and a lack of basic health knowledge, claim health officials. The best way to prevent and control the potentially fatal disease is ensuring self hygiene and making a habit of using boiled water, the provincial health director general, Dr Ashfaque Memon, told The Express Tribune.
“The most effective prevention measures are to use boiled water and wash hands properly before eating,” explained Dr Memon, stressing on the need for public awareness. Nowadays, neither parents nor teachers bother to spend a few minutes to teach their children about basic health tips, he said. “We were taught about basic self- hygiene in primary schools but that culture is almost finished now.”
Nevertheless, the figures suggest that the situation is more alarming than thought previously. In this month alone, more than 29,192 cases were reported across Sindh, with the number rising steeply with each passing day. Among these cases, more than 6,000 were reported in Karachi alone.
According to Dr Memon, the main reasons for the high number in the metropolis were the water and sewage lines that run parallel to each other. Often times, the sewage water gets mixed with the main water line, he lamented. “The number of cases reported in Karachi is a clear indication of the virulence factor of these diseases and the risk it carries for densely populated communities,” he said.
“Water-borne diseases may breakout if appropriate measures are not taken,” warned Dr Memon “People use rain water mixed with drinking water. The rain water, besides containing a number of harmful bacteria, also contains faeces and other waste materials of insects.” The health official stressed upon the general public to use boiled water, particularly during the monsoon season. “The affected person must immediately take ORS and visit the hospital.”
Dr Bahawal Jamro of the Ghulam Muhammad Medical College, Sukkur, said that most diarrhoea cases had been reported in slums, remote areas and among the poorer communities. He said that the disease could be fatal for children. “Children in rural Sindh are already malnourished and their immune system is naturally weak.”
Patients, on the other hand are facing a difficult time getting treatment as the standard of public hospitals further deteriorates. “The condition in public hospitals is so miserable that I prefer taking my three-year-old son to a private hospital for treatment,” said Adnan Ahmed, a resident of Latifabad, Hyderabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2013.