Two die as diarrhoea breaks out in Bandarban

At least two persons died from diarrhoea in Bandarban's Remakri union as the remote area bordering Myanmar has been reeling from a diarrhoea outbreak. 

 Md Wahiduzzaman, health and family planning officer in Thanchi upazila, told The Daily Star that they were able to confirm two deaths from diarrhoea in Remakri area till yesterday though they had been informed of four deaths from the disease.

The dead were identified as karbari (community leader) Menthang Mro (48) and Longri Mro (50).

He further said that at least 60 people have been suffering from the disease in the remote area.

Talking to this correspondent, Mangchong Mro, member of ward-6 of Remakri union parishad, said seven villages -- Yungnong, Singchong, Paktuya, Naresha Longan, Menthang, Nepheo and Krahalong -- have been grappling with the diarrhoea outbreak.

"Four people have died so far from diarrhoea… Local shops have run out of necessary medicines and oral saline, making things worse for the affected communities," he mentioned.

The UP member further said that with the help of Thanchi upazila chairman and Remakri union parishad chairman, medicines and oral saline worth Tk 26,000 had been sent to the affected area.

Mui Shoi Thui Marma, chairman of Remakri union parishad, said it usually takes six to seven hours to reach the affected area from Thanchi Sadar. Monsoon rains have made it even more difficult to go there.

Nihar Ranjan Nandy, civil surgeon of Bandarban district, said, "Four teams have been dispatched to the affected area with medicines, water purification tablets and oral saline. Members of the BGB [Border Guard Bangladesh] also joined the health workers in tackling the situation."

He further said monsoon rains have made it very difficult for the health workers to work in the remote area.