BAHAWALPUR: As the ongoing heatwave is reaching its peak, the cases of gastroenteritis are also on the rise.

Ninety-two cases of gastroenteritis were reported in the two government hospitals of Bahawalpur during the last 24 hours. On Tuesday, Bahawalpur’s temperature reached 44 degree Celsius while it was 47 degrees Celsius in Uch Sharif.

Dawn learnt that the emergency departments of Government Nawab Sadiq Hospital, Jhangiwali Road, Bahawalpur, and Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) had 56 and 36 gastroenteritis cases during the last 24 hours.

The doctors claimed that during last week’s heatwave, the two hospitals had treated over 1,900 gastroenteritis patients.

According to the doctors, the majority of patients in the two hospitals were minor children, whose parents failed to comply with the hygienic principles, causing infection in their stomach and digestive system.

The doctors expressed concern that if people did not strictly observe health SOPs, the number of gastro patients might further aggravate the situation at local hospitals. They said that the hospital would not be able to provide them treatment in view of the limited beds and medicine stocks.

BVH Medical Superinten-dent Dr Aamir Mahmood Bokhari and Nawab Hospital MS Dr Muhammad Hamid urged the general population to take preventive measures during the heatwave, particularly regarding their meals and use of excessive cold drinks and beverages. They said though the judicious use of watermelon was medically beneficial during the current heatwave but it should be consumed carefully and water should be avoided immediately after eating watermelon.

Meanwhile, dengue larva was detected at the premises of the ladies club in Model Town, Bahawalpur, and the people demanded the health department to ensure a cleaner and healthier environment in the city.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2025