Diarrhoea claims one more in Nilphamari

The angry state minister at a meeting asked Civil Surgeon a volley of questions.

"Why diarrhoea patients are given treatment on roads? Why such photographs are published in newspapers? Is there no space in big hospitals in the district for better accommodation of diarrhoea patients?

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"There is scarcity of Saline, why this information was not brought to me before?"

These were some of the questions hurled at the civil surgeon at the district law and order co-ordination committee meeting, held at Sayedpur Upazila Parisad auditorium on Tuesday night, sources said.

The state minister came to Nilphamari on Tuesday, about one and a half months after diarrhoea broke out in the district. He directed all government officials in the district to combat the disease.

The Daily Star published a good number of photos including one showing a diarrhoea patient being treated on road in front of a government hospital as there was no space inside.

Mentionably, most of the deaths from diarrhoea took place in about 15 days in September when there was scarcity of cholera Saline in hospitals here.

The situation is by and large unchanged now.

According to district health department control room yesterday, another child died in 48 hours till Friday noon.

The victim is Tasmira, 4, daughter of Ilias Hossen of Botlagari village under Saidpur upazila. She died at Saidpur 50-bed hospital.

The control room said more 153 patients were admitted and 352 treated at the six government hospitals and temporary treatment camps in the district during the period.

The Civil Surgeon, however, claimed that the situation was under control.