SWAT: District health officer, Swat, Dr Mohammad Saleem has said that special measures have been taken at Kalam Hospital and Shahu Dispensary for treatment of diarrhoea patients in Shahu village of Kalam valley.

According to the residents, the disease has affected alarge number of people, including children, in the village.

“The disease broke out in Shahu village three days before Eidul Azha, which initially affected elderly people. About 10 people were severely affected by the disease and so far one elderly woman has died from it,” said Aziz Kalami, a local journalist. He said hundreds of people suffered from diarrhoea, but the situation was now under control.

The DHO said medical teams from different hospitals had been deployed to the affected area and he himself visited the village to monitor the situation.

DHO says medical teams deployed to treat patients

“Medicines have also been delivered to Shahu Dispensary and Kalam Hospital while the health staff there is providing 24 hours service in three shifts,” he said.

Dr Saleem said that over 600 people affected by diarrhoea and vomiting had so far been examined and treated, half of whom had fully recovered.

“Samples of water and patients from the affected areas have been sent for lab tests to find out causes of the disease,” he said.

In a meeting with the local people, the DHO advised them to drink boiled water in view of the monsoon rains, avoid junk food in the markets and ensure cleanliness, especially hand hygiene.

The DHO said that monsoon rains added dirty water to clean water in reservoirs, especially water tanks and springs, which caused stomach ailments.

He said that so far 12 patients had been referred to the Saidu hospital, while one woman died.“The situation is under control and the staff will remain deployed in the affected area till end of the cases,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2022