Seasonal epidemic: Hospital overwhelmed by gastro outbreak

FAISALABAD: Dozens of gastroenteritis cases were reported in Samundri on Tuesday. The tehsil headquarters (THQ) hospital has run short of beds for patients.

As many as 123 patients are being treated at the hospital currently. Up to three patients are receiving treatment on a single bed. Several patients are lying in the hospital’s corridors.

Hospital spokesman Dr Asif Siddique said that the hospital administration was arranging for more beds.

“A large number of gastroenteritis patients have come to the hospital.

The disease is spreading rapidly due to the hot weather,” he said.

“We are advising people to use fresh vegetables. Water should be used after boiling it properly. Edibles stored in refrigerators can turn unhygienic and cause diarrhea,” he said.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Dr Ali Abbas said that it was the season of gastroenteritis. “The Health Department should make special arrangements to deal with local outbreaks,” he said.

“Every year, there are several outbreaks of gastroenteritis during summer months in various areas of Faisalabad.

The Health Department should have launched an awareness campaign earlier,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2015.