Najma, a resident of Gazipur, brought her one-year-old baby Abdullah to the International Center for Diarrhea Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B) in Mohakhali. Her son has diarrhea along with vomiting. 17-year-old Moinuddin is also admitted with diarrhea for two days.
Moinuddin, who works in a furniture store, told Jago News, ‘I will have dinner at the hotel the next day. Stomach pain started yesterday morning. Then the toilet. The body is very weak. Seeing the bad condition, the family members brought here. Still have a mild stomach ache.’
Sohail, who was in the next bed, also came from Gazipur with his 16-month-old son Sami. He told Jago News, ‘On the afternoon of the 20th, diarrhea suddenly started. I took medicine after seeing the doctor. But still it was not right. The child becomes more weak. I brought him to the cholera hospital the next morning.’
People all over the country are suffering from severe heat wave. People are not at ease at home or outside. People are eating iced sherbet on the streets to get some relief from this heat. Some are also eating open fruits. Many are drinking ice cold or cold water directly. Apart from heat stroke, various water-borne diseases including diarrhea have increased in the intense heat.
On Monday (April 22), visiting ICDDR, B or Cholera Hospital in the capital, it was seen that there was a crowd of relatives outside. The institution does not allow more than one relative to enter with a patient. Patients in the emergency department are primarily treated as diarrhea patients. Then their tests are used to identify what kind of problem the patient is actually suffering from. Then considering their condition saline is being given or admitted. Some patients have been seen to be sent home with initial treatment and counselling.
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According to the information of ICDDR, in some days the number of patients was less than 500 in the last two days. 474 patients were admitted with diarrhea on 16th April, 432 people on 17th, 445 people on 18th, 456 people on 19th, 543 people on 20th, 522 people on 21st and 285 patients were admitted till 3 pm on Monday (22 April).
Prevalence of diarrhea increases in the country especially in May-June and November-December. The official said that this intense heat may last through the week. Therefore, we fear that due to excessive heat this year, the outbreak of diarrhea which is expected to be seen in May-June may start earlier. In the meantime, an average of five hundred patients are being admitted with diarrhea every day. Niger Sultana
Dr. ICCDR, B. Gastroenterologist. Niger Sultana told Jago News, ‘Especially in May-June and November-December, the prevalence of diarrhea increases in the country. Officials said the intense heat could last through the week. Therefore, we fear that due to excessive heat this year, the outbreak of diarrhea which is expected to be seen in May-June may start earlier. In the meantime, an average of five hundred patients are being admitted for diarrhea every day.’
When asked which age group of patients are more prone to diarrhoea, he said, ‘People of all ages are being admitted to the hospital with diarrhoea. However, children’s diarrhea is increasing at this time. There is a lack of awareness among people. For example, eating open syrup outside, the ice that is there can have a lot of germs.’
‘Also, not washing hands properly with soap after coming from outside or going to the toilet. In summer people are sweating profusely, but not drinking enough water. There is a risk of heat stroke in this extreme heat. So there is a need to give clothes or hats to the common people. Those who do not need to should not leave the house. Besides, those who are laborers should not stay at work for a long time.’
When asked what measures are taken if children with diarrhea have other physical problems, he said, ‘Many people with diarrhea may have pneumonia, kidney or heart problems. We refer them to government hospitals after checking for diarrhoea, so that there is no shortage in their treatment.’
According to the information of the Management Information Center (MIS) of the Department of Health, one lakh 70 thousand 276 people of the country were affected by diarrhea in 2022. Among them, 31 people died. In 2023, one lakh 56 thousand 721 people were affected. 12 people died. As of April 20, 2024, 46,444 people have been admitted to the hospital due to diarrhea. However, no one died during this time.
AAM/ASA/JIM
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