KHAIRPUR, May 20: Gastroenteritis cases in large numbers are being reported at various health facilities of Khairpur district following a steep rise in the temperature, which is touching its record high in many parts of Sindh.

Reports from some hospitals and clinics within Khairpur town suggest that on an average 10 people, mostly children, were being provided treatment of the disease every day since the mercury crossed 47 degrees Celsius last week.

An unspecified number of people have been admitted to the district and taluka hospitals of Khairpur and Gambat.

Some social activists told reporters in Gambat that the number of people suffering from gastroenteritis in the town and its adjoining areas was much higher than other parts of the district. They said that most patients were being treated at private hospitals and clinics and their exact number could not be ascertained.

Khairpur Civil Surgeon told Dawn that although gastroenteritis in the district had not assumed an alarming proportion, the disease might spread rapidly if the extreme weather conditions persisted for another couple of weeks. “There are proper arrangements at government hospitals and health facilities for coping with the current situation,” he said, adding that medicines were also available in adequate quantity.

He said people should also take precautionary measures to avoid contracting gastroenteritis. They should avoid being exposed to sunlight unnecessarily, consume stale and unhygienic food, he said, adding that using boiled water could also save them from the disease.

Our Larkana correspondent adds: Larkana Deputy Commissioner Umar Farooq Bullo has urged the Chandka Medical College Hospital management to put in place extensive preventive measures to fight against the cases of gastroenteritis in the district.

During his surprise visits to the Children Hospital, Shaikh Zayed Hospital for Women and other units of the CMCH on Monday, he asked the management to ensure proper operation of airconditioners in the Children Hospital in order to save patients and visitors from the extreme heatwave.

The DC also called for ensuring availability of medicines to the indoor patients in all sections of the CMCH and keep all standby power generators in perfect order.

He took round various sections of the hospital and reviewed progress of work on the ongoing projects of neuro-sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto skin diseases complex, dental and hepatology departments, etc. He directed the officials concerned to complete the projects within the stipulated time without compromising on standards and quality of work.