Diarrhoea situation in Pabna alarming

7 October 2009, 17:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Pabna

Photo: STAR

Around a hundred diarrhoea patients were admitted to Pabna General Hospital from Tuesday to Wednesday noon as the water-borne disease sees alarming spread in the district, especially Pabna Sadar upazila. Over 800 diarrhoea patients were admitted to Pabna General Hospital in last 15 days, hospital sources said, adding that accommodation problem coupled with shortage of doctors and nurses in the diarrhoea ward is hampering treatment. “We have admitted 92 diarrhoea patients in last 24 hours. Some 20 more patients are waiting,” Shefali Khatun, senior nurse in the diarrhoea ward of Pabna General Hospital said yesterday noon. “Only two nurses working in the diarrhoea ward are struggling to tackle the patients,” she said. This correspondent yesterday saw over 70/80 patients lying on the hospital floors because of lack of seats in the diarrhoea ward. Many patients complained of poor service. “We are staying on the floor. Hospital authorities do not have proper arrangement for us. Even we don't have enough toilet facility,” said Md Tezem Ali, 26, of Nurpur village. “My diarrhoea-affected mother was admitted to Pabna General Hospital. I came to attend her but I have also become affected. Now both of us are lying on the hospital floor,” said Rita, 22, of Dublia village. "The number of diarrhoea patients is on the rise. The situation deteriorated badly in last 24 hours. Over 800 diarrhoea patients took treatment at Pabna General Hospital during the last 15 days," said Resident Medical Officer Dr Md Tarikul Islam. Admitting inadequacy of health service for a large number of diarrhoea patients, he said, “The water-borne disease easily spreads from affected people to others.” "The diarrhoea situation has recently deteriorated in Pabna Sadar upazila, especially in the municipality area. The situation is under control in other upazilas of the district. We are trying our best to provide necessary medical treatment for the diarrhoea patients in Pabna General Hospital," Pabna Civil Surgeon Dr AHM Khairul Alam Chowdhury said. Admitting manpower crisis in the hospital, he said they are maintaining the 250-bed hospital with facilities for 100 beds only. Diarrhoea started spreading in Pabna district after the Eid-ul-Fitr. A woman died and over 100 people were affected with diarrhoea in Ishwardi upazila of the district during the last one week.