The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Brisal

Diarrhea is spreading in alarming term in 40 upazilas of six districts of Barisal division; it is reported by the different sources of health offices.

Barisal divisional health directorate, district civil surgeon offices sources said the figures updated on Monday night shown that more than three thousand people reported to be attacked by diarrhoea and two reported to be dead of that in Barisal division in April 2008.

The situation is worst in island district Bhola where the number of diarrhoea patient crossed 1600 in this month and until this report, at least 2 died of that disease in last ten days.

In Barisal district number of diarrhoea patients treated in public hospitals crossed 500, in Patuakhali 650, in Barguna 450, in Pirojpur 350 and in Jhalakati 300, reported the divisional health directorate sources.

Most of the diarrhoea-attacked patients are children and old aged people and figures of patients treated in private hospitals, clinics and home were not available.

Divisional health directorate sources said 388 medical teams including 88 teams for Barisal district, have been formed to monitor and control the situation. However, one sources said only one-third teams are active in field level and crisis of physicians mainly causing problems in activities of the medical teams. In this situation, 2-4 medical teams are working under a doctor in some areas.

Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital sources said in last three weeks more than 500 diarrhea patents were treated and out of them 290 admitted without reporting any death.

Director of Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital however denied the allegation of any shortage of saline.

Dr. Mizanur Rahman, residential medical officer of Barisal Sadar Hospital and in charge of 40 bed diarrhea ward of Barisal SBMCH, said that they have sufficient stocks of intervene saline until this report. Necessary measures will be taken if any patient is forced to purchase saline from outside, he further said.

It is learnt from Sadar Hospital source that everyday new patients are being admitted. Many patients are kept on floor due to shortage of beds at the rush time. Dr. Matiur Rahman, chief medical officer of Barisal City Corporation, said that Kawnia, Amanatganj, Port Road, Sagordi, Nabogram were worst diarrhea affected areas of the city.

Dr. Pulin Kumar Singha, civil surgeon of Barisal civil surgeon of the district claimed that different areas of Mehendiganj, Uzirpur, Muladi are among the most affected upazilas of Barisal district.

However diarrhea situation is under control and there is no report of death in the district until this report, the Barisal district CS further said.