NAROWAL: Dozens of patients of diarrhea and cholera, from villages of Sialkot, are approaching the government and private hospitals in the district, while to cater to the rising number of such patients, an emergency has been declared in the Zafarwal Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.

Sources say that dozens of cases of diarrhea and cholera have been reported at Hanjali Mehtabpur village of Pasrur tehsil, who are being admitted to the government and private hospitals.

They say that over two dozen patients of these water-borne diseases, including children and women, have surfaced so far.

The doctors at the hospital say that such patients mostly complain of severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea.

Emergency declared in Zafarwal THQ Hospital

They say that the patients of diarrhea and cholera hailing from Hanjali Mehtabpur village include Amanat Ali, Asghar, Sakhawat Ali, Kamran, Ayesha Aziz, Maryam Iqbal, Fatima Hanif, Shamim Akhtar, Shazia Bibi, Kausar Bibi, Aliza, Alia Bibi and Ahmed, among others. According to hospital sources, one of the patients has been referred to Narowal District Headquarters Hospital, given his critical condition.

Zafarwal THQ Hospital Medical Superintendent (MS) Dr Rahat Mahmood said presently 19 patients suffering from diarrhea and cholera are being treated at the facility, claiming that all necessary medicines are being provided to them free of cost.

He said that an emergency has been imposed in the hospital due to the increase in the number of patients and the doctors and paramedical staff have been assigned additional duties.

He said that a report has been sent to the Narowal District Health Authority regarding the patients suffering from infectious diseases.

Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner Imran Rasool visited the THQ hospital and reviewed the facilities being provided to the patients.

Narowal Deputy Commissioner Syed Hassan Raza said patients coming to Zafarwal THQ Hospital are being provided with complete treatment facilities and an ample stock of free medicines is available to treat diarrhea and cholera.

Sialkot District Health Authority CEO Dr Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry could not be contacted for his version despite repeated attempts.

Sialkot DC Saba Asghar Ali, who is also chairperson of DHA, told Dawn that a Clinic on Wheels programme vehicle has been stationed at Hanjali Mehtab village for the treatment of patients and Pasrur AC has also arrived there to supervise the treatment efforts.

Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2025