ISLAMABAD: During Ramazan 15,800 gastroenteritis patients were treated at the emergency department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

Out of these 65pc were treated with intravenous fluids as they came to the hospital with varying degree of dehydration. Among the patients suffering from gastroenteritis 52pc were men and 48pc were women.

The figure was given by Dr Waseem Khawaja, gastroenterologist at Pims, while talking to Dawn on Tuesday. Gastro is caused by a bacteria and it results in acute form of diarrhea and vomiting. Patients usually take one to six days to recover, he said.

He said 4,768 patients suffering from gastroenteritis visited children emergency. Of them more than 50pc were reported with severe dehydration and were treated with intravenous fluids.

“Nearly 8,000 patients came to gastroenterology department of Pims with indigestion symptoms due to unhygienic, excessive and fatty diet mostly from markets. Even home-made food causes indigestion if it contains more fatty, spicy and unhygienic material and if food is taken without washing hands,” he said.

“More than 90pc patients did not take boiled water and unboiled water has impurities and germs which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, typhoid, paratyphoid, hepatitis A, E and other diseases,” he said.

Dr Khawaja said people should be more careful about eating habits immediately after Ramazan as their stomachs have become used to eating two times a day during the month of fasting.

“People should gradually increase food intake otherwise they will fell ill due to food poisoning and other stomach problems,” he said.

“Children are particularly at high risk of contracting gastro because they buy junk food and drinks on Eid. Parents should keep an eye on them and ensure that they should not eat junk and substandard food,” he said.

“Pims Outpatient Department (OPD) will remain closed during Eid holidays but its emergency will remain open throughout the holidays where ward staff including doctors nurses paramedical staff, etc., will be available round the clock,” he said.

Following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) the management of Pims has put the hospital on high alert during Eid holidays.

To deal with any untoward situation during Eid holidays, the hospital has ensured that as many as 20 beds will remain vacant in emergency department all the time.

Blood bank has been instructed to ensure availability of blood of all groups. Moreover, life saving medicine will be available in abundance in emergency department.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2016