23 die of diarrhoea in Dinajpur, Sirajganj

A Correspondent from Dinajpur reports: At least 17 people including five children died and over 142 others, mostly children, were attacked with diarrhoea in Thakurgaon district in last 15 days, according to sources in Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital.

The victims are Rumi, 6, daughter of Abul Hossain of Koharpara village in Baliadangi upazila, Shahida Begum, 25, wife of Siddique of Daulatpur village in the same upazila, Kawsar, 6 days, son of Anowar Hossain of Kalitola village, Bithika Bala, 25, Sumitra Rani, 5, Kharuguram, 10, of Betbari village, Hareena, 32, Nayan, 16, Kutubuddin, 50, Monosha Roy, 55, Joynal, 45, Bedho Bala, 68, Bulbul Nahar, 35, wife of Azharul Islam, Shumitra Rani, 5, Abdul Noor, 75, son of late Musa Mohammad of Kumarpara village, Akram Hossain, 45, and Ariful, 4, all of Dhamagarh and Betbari unions in Ranishankoil upazila.

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Dhamagarh and Betbari unions of Ranishankoil upazila are the worst affected areas.

All the patients are undergoing treatment at Thakurgaon Sadar Hospital.

When contacted, Thakurgaon Civil Surgeon Dr Md MA Momeen said only nine people died of diarrhoea. He said excessive heat during the last few days, lack of pure drinking water and poor sanitation system were behind outbreak of the disease. He disclosed, about 10 medical teams are working round the clock in Ranishankoil and Baliadangi upazilas. The situation is under control, he further said.

Ranishankoil Upazila Nirbahi Officer KM Mominur Rahman, Upazila Health Officer Anisur Rahman and Ranisankoil police Station Officer-in-Charge Lutfar Rahman visited the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the patients alleged negligence of health workers in the upazila health complexes.

A nurse at Thakuragon Sadar Hospital told this correspondent, on condition of anonymity, most diarrhoea patients died due to their late arrival in hospital. They should have been shifted to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital earlier for better treatment, she said.

A correspondent from Sirajganj reports: With recession of floodwaters, diarrhoea has broken out in the flood affected areas.

At least six people died and 100 others were attacked with the disease in last three days.

They are Chhuraia Khatun,2, of Chowhali, Gonzer Ali,60, of Kazipur, Babu Lal,55, of Tarash and Ushila Bewa,58, of Shahzadpur, Azgor Ali,60, and his son Rafiqul Islam,13, of Dhitpur Alal village in Sadar upazila.