KARACHI: 343 arrive in city hospitals with gastro symptoms
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, May 10: Sindh Health Minister Syed Sardar Ahmad said that there was a static trend in the reporting of people with gastroenteritis or diarrhoea complaints at the government hospitals in the province, including those at Karachi.Speaking at a press conference at his office on Thursday, the minister said that on average around 1,600 cases of gastroenteritis or diarrhoea had been registered at various Sindh and district government hospitals and health care centres in the recent days.
Majority of the patients are discharged after necessary examination and medications same day, he added, saying the problem was overall endemic in nature.He said that increase in vomiting and diarrhoea patients had become routine phenomena of the province during summers for the last few years, which could be attributed to a considerable concentration of contaminants in the Indus river water consumed by people or carelessness observed by them in the health and hygiene practices.
The minister said that all government health care centres across the province, including the district hospitals and tertiary care centres had been alerted and equipped adequately in respect of manpower and medicines to handle any situation.
Health personnel at all levels are distributing ORS and chlorine tablets in the affected areas in the interior of Sindh, he added and suggested that people should avoid taking improper food and consume boiled water only.
Mr Ahmad said that people increased their water intake during summer; it was the prime responsibility of the local governments to ensure a safe drinking water supply to people in all areas, so that chances of spread of diseases could be minimised.
He further informed that he asked all the EDOs (Health) in the province to launch a public awareness drive to protect people against possible gastroenteritis. EDOs will ensure that masses are sensitised and motivated for taking preventive measures at their level as well in regard to seasonal ailments, he informed.
Giving updates on reporting of gastroenteritis cases from April 23 to May 9, the health minister said that about 18,000 people complaining of vomiting and diarrhoea came to hospitals across the province, out of which 5,500 were admitted for a thorough treatment. During the period in question, only two deaths have been reported from Sukkur district and one from Jamshoro, all children of 4-7 years of age, he informed.
According to the data provided to newsmen by Special Secretary (public health) Dr Abdul Majid and Deputy Secretary Dr Shakeel M Mullick, 1,673 patients reported to hospitals and dispensaries of the government in 23 districts of Sindh on May 9, out of which 373 were admitted.
As many as 208 patients were received at Thatta district facilities, out of which 33 were retained, followed by Matiari 157 (23 admitted), Sukkur 88 (24), Khairpur 87 (25) and other districts.
On May 9, at Karachi 343 cases were reported at government hospitals, including those 81 at the Civil Hospital Karachi. Among others, the town health officer of Lyari reported the registration of 21 patients, while THO Landhi reported 69 cases, THO Malir reported 25 and THO Bin Qasim reported 22 cases, while Sindh Government Hospital New Karachi received 15 and Sindh Children Hospital received 42 patients the same day.
