Sharp rise in diarrhoea cases in Barishal
Cases of diarrhoea have risen alarmingly in Barishal since March.
The 250-bed Barishal General Hospital (BGH), one of the biggest diarrhoea treatment centres in the country's southern region, is currently treating diarrhoea patients, going beyond the facility's normal operation, said physicians.
Diarrhoea outbreak is common during summer, said Maloy Krishna Baral, residential medical officer of the hospital. Besides, it is also one of the symptoms of Covid-19, he added.
Presently, the authorities are discharging diarrhoea patients immediately after they are showing improvement to cope with the pressure, he said.
Hospital sources said 751 diarrhoea patients were admitted in March alone. As of Thursday, 554 people remained admitted, said Dr Malay.
The diarrhoea ward has only 14 seats, where around 60 patients stay admitted, said nurse Archana Rani, adding that 20-30 patients are being admitted on a daily basis.
Patients are staying on the floor and staircases or wherever they can find place, she said, adding that the situation has become so dire that the hospital authorities have made a temporary centre on the field next to the ward to treat patients.
Asked whether people with diarrhoea are being tested for coronavirus, Dr Maloy Krishna said they are not doing so.
Barishal Civil Surgeon Dr Monwar Hossain said a total of 956 diarrhoea patients were admitted to various hospitals in the districts in March. In the same month last year, the figure was 827.
Comments