<i>Quacks cash in on villagers' woes</i>

18 April 2009, 18:00 PM

Our Correspondent, Jhenidah

During a four-hour 'water therapy session' by a quack, a man pours water on a person affected with 'unknown disease' at a Shailkupa village, left, and a female patient being taken home after such treatment.Photo: STAR

Quacks are doing brisk business in the name of treatment after three people died of 'unknown disease' in two villages of Shailkupa upazila under the district. Shihab Sikdar, 32, of Dhaura village, Nazma Khatun and Bhanu Moti of of Dhalla village, who died suddenly on April 7, said before death that they felt pain in the vein of their shoulders, locals said. Soon the story of the 'disease' spread in the surrounding areas including Audha, Kamal Nagar, Boro Dhaura, Paikpara, Mohishadanga, Char, Shitali and Dalilpur villages. Several people of the villages fell sick in similar ways during the last ten days, Barik Molla, chairman of Dhalahar Chandra Union Parishad, said. Local quacks started to cash in on the situation. They are now treating patients by pouring water for a long time and giving them oral or intravenous saline. They are charging 'good amounts' as fee, villagers said. On Thursday morning, teacher Hasanuzzaman got unwell when he was teaching the students. A quack rushed to the spot and poured water on his head and injected saline. As Hasan's condition deteriorated, he was rushed to Jhenidah Sadar Hospital and later sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where check-up showed that he has gastric problem. Mofizur Rahman and Hafizur Rahman of Dhaura village said, as no medical official has visited the village quacks Dianot, Biren and Shahabuddin, who are charging Tk 700/800 from each patient. Shahabuddin admitted that they are making handsome bucks as the disease can be treated only with water and saline. Abdul Khalek, health and family planning officer of Shailkupa upazila, said, “It is not an unknown disease. From the description of the symptoms, it seems that the three patients died due to heart attack. I have visited the affected areas and advised patients to come to hospital.” Residents of the area, on the other hand, said they have not seen any medical official to visit the villages.