The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Chapainawabganj

One person died of diarrhoea and 287 of nearly one thousand affected by the disease reported to the government hospitals in 24 hours to 8am Thursday as the disease is spreading fast across the district.

Stool of four affected persons tested at ICDDRB, Dhaka, found they were attacked by cholera, said resident physician of Sadar Hospital Dr Taj Uddin.

"The test report has not yet reached us but ICCDDR,B informed by telephone confirming cholera germs," Dr Taj told UNB. He expressed concern at the fast spreading of the disease and said they were finding it extremely difficult to tackle the situation with few doctors and nurses.

Some 287 diarrhoea patients reported to the government hospitals in the district from 8am Wednesday to 8am Thursday. Afsar Ali (65) died in Sadar Hospital today.

Patients are still coming from remote villages. Shibganj upazila is the worst affected area, added Dr Taj.

Confirming the situation acting Civil Surgeon Dr Rabiul Islam said 64 medical teams are working all over the district to combat the disease. He said improved facilities and modern medicines are now available for treatment of cholera patients. So, there is not much to worry about it.

UNB Correspondent visiting the Sadar Hospital found an awful situation in the 10-bed diarrhoea ward. Scores of patients were lying in the corridor. Relatives of the patients complained of inadequate treatment facilities with few doctors and nurses.

Doctors in Civil Surgeon office confirmed five persons died of diarrhoea in the district during this (October) month. Of the patients reported to the government hospitals today are 76 from sadar upazila, 39 from Nachol, 120 from Shibganj, 27 from Gumastapur and 25 from Bholahat upazila.

Besides, hundreds of people affected by the disease were undergoing treatment at home, private clinics and mobile medical teams, said reports reaching from remote villages.