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KARACHI, June 29: Another 675 patients suffering from gastroenteritis or diarrhoea were brought to government hospitals from different parts of the city on Friday, out of which 80 were admitted.
A deputy secretary of the public health department of the Sindh government, Dr Shakeel A. Mullick, said on Friday evening that a total of 1,512 patients, including 562 of Karachi, were brought to government healthcare facilities across the province during the last 24 hours, ending at 12 noon.
Besides the Civil Hospital Karachi and New Karachi Hospital, 482 patients were rushed to city government hospitals and clinics, out of which 39 were retained for further treatment.
“In all 44 patients, mostly children, were admitted to government hospitals who have been reporting on the subject to the Sindh health department for some time,” Dr Mullick added, saying that no deaths were reported on Friday.
Lyari General Hospital
Dr Khawaja Mukhtar, Medical Superintendent of Lyari General Hospital, which caters to people in the low-lying areas, said that though the reporting of gastroenteritis and diarrhoea at his hospital had increased there was no emergency-like situation.
“After the rains the average per day intake of children and infants with a history of diarrhoea and vomiting ranged from 15-20, while the nature and degree of infection was not so severe,” he added.
National Institute of Child Health
About 50 patients were brought to the casualty section or OPD of the National Institute of Child Health (NICH) till 8pm on Friday. A doctor on duty at the diarrhoea treatment centre said that as many as 20 patients had been admitted since morning for further treatment and assessment as they were relatively serious cases.
A doctor at the casualty and emergency section of the NICH said that the number of patients complaining of vomiting and diarrhoea increased on Friday in comparison to Thursday’s figures. “Some patients are brought in the night also,” he added, saying that the total number of gastroenteritis patients could go up to 60 for Friday.
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre
Dr Seemi Jamali, Deputy Director and in-charge of Emergency and Accidents at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, said in the night as many as 25 patients, both men and women, including senior citizens, were rushed to the hospital for gastroenteritis interventions, out of which two were admitted for comprehensive treatment.
“The remaining patients with a history of diarrhoea, vomiting and fever were sent back after some treatment and re-hydration,” she added, saying that so far the situation had not reached epidemic proportions.
PMA’s appeal
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has once again reminded people to take extreme preventive measures to avert gastroenteritis, waterborne diseases and ailments such as conjunctivitis, flue, sore throat and skin diseases.
“The only remedy to prevent these diseases is to take preventive measures. People should always use boiled water, take plenty of water during the day, use ORS in case of diarrhoea and vomiting, and if it is uncontrollable, a qualified doctor should immediately be consulted,” the PMA statement said.
