Outbreak: Second dengue patient dies in two days

Hospital says patient’s abdomen started swelling which led to intestine obstruction and later death.

MINGORA:

Another dengue patient died at the Saidu Teaching Hospital (STH) on Monday. Doctors, however, state the cause of death as abdominal distension.

“After confirmation of dengue virus, we admitted him in a private ward of the STH on August 30 and he was getting better,” said the deceased’s sister who is also a nurse at the hospital. On Sunday night, the patient’s abdomen started swelling due to intestine obstruction, she said, adding the doctors took him to the operation theatre but he succumbed to his ailment before the procedure could start.

Some relatives of the deceased, however, accused the medical staff of negligence and demanded action against the hospital.

Dr Malik Said, a medical officer in the Dengue Ward, confirmed the cause of death to be abdominal distension. “He was receiving proper treatment and getting better,” he added.

On Sunday, 14-year-old Taj Bibi died after contracting dengue fever in Rahimdad area of Mingora after which awareness campaigns have picked up pace across the valley.

A walk was organised from Saidu Sharif to the Swat Press Club. Heads of government and non-government institutions, students and civil society members participated in the awareness walk. Banners and pamphlets held by participants were inscribed with information about dengue fever.

A total of 174 dengue affected patients are still in the hospital undergoing treatment. “More than 1,000 patients have returned to their homes after recovery while at least 2,000 are receiving treatment at home,” said an official from the health office.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2013.