# Patients 10 times more than capacity in Feni
# 372 hospitalized in Lakshmipur in 24 hours
# Incidence of diarrhea increases in Noakhali
# 255 hospitalized after snakebite in Noakhali
As the flood waters recede, people in the flood-affected areas are rushing to the hospital with various diseases. Doctors are struggling to cope with the number of patients coming together.
255 people were hospitalised after being bitten by snakes in flood-hit areas in Noakhali. Syed Mohiuddin Abdul Azim, resident medical officer (RMO) of Noakhali General Hospital, confirmed the information yesterday morning.
After the flood, there was an outbreak of diarrhea in Noakhali. Flood victims are now in fear and panic as the water-borne disease diarrhoea has appeared in eight upazilas of the district. They are also in crisis of adequate services and medicines. According to the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital, more than 700 diarrhoea patients received treatment from August 22 to September 2.
As of 10 am. yesterday, more than 300 patients were admitted to the hospital. There is a shortage of medicines and nurses-nurses-doctors.
Akhter Hossain of Chatkhil upazila said that his son first appeared in lose motion. Rural doctors have been consulted locally. But due to the deterioration of the condition, he has been admitted here.
Tofazzal Hossain of Shullukia village in Sadar upazila said his daughter is eight months old. The girl had become weak due to diarrhoea. There has been some improvement after hospitalization. It is impossible to stay here in the hospital environment. But the girl is not going to go without recovering.
Md Helal Uddin, caretaker of the 250-bed Noakhali General Hospital, said the number of diarrhoea patients is increasing as the flood situation improves, mostly children. There is a shortage of doctors and nurses in the hospital. Still, the best service is being provided.
Rejecting the allegations of the patient's relatives’ allegations, he said, "We have continued to serve as much as possible. Saline and medicines are being given. More drugs are coming to tackle the crisis."
The number of patients suffering from diarrhoea and skin diseases is increasing in Lakshmipur. In the last 24 hours, 172 people have received treatment for skin diseases at Sadar Hospital alone. Besides, 200 more patients of skin diseases have been treated in at least 10 private hospitals in different parts of the district.
Meanwhile, at least 1,000 people have been infected with various water-borne diseases in Lakshmipur in the last 12 days.
Of these, 788 people were affected by diarrhea. Three people have died due to drowning and diarrhoea in the flood-hit areas.
District Civil Surgeon's Office and Sadar Hospital sources confirmed the matter yesterday afternoon.
According to the sources, 788 people have been infected with diarrhoea, 34 due to respiratory infection (RTI), 156 from snake bite, 172 from skin disease and two from drowning in five upazilas of Lakshmipur since August 22.
Besides, two people drowned in Sadar and Raipur upazilas and one died of diarrhoea in Ramganj. In the last 24 hours, 109 diarrhoea patients, two respiratory infections, 10 snakebites, one drowning and 172 skin diseases were admitted to government hospitals in the district.
According to hospital sources, in the last 24 hours, 60 patients suffering from diarrhea were admitted to Sadar Hospital and among the health complexes, 4 in Raipur, 3 in Ramganj, 21 in Kamalnagar and 21 in Ramgati. Among the snake bite patients, 7 were treated in Sadar and 3 in Raipur.
A total of 172 people were treated for skin diseases at Sadar Hospital. However, no death has been reported in the last 24 hours.
Siraj Ullah, a resident of Uttar Durgapur area, said various animals, including fish and snakes, have died and rotted and mixed with water. Besides, the dirt in the toilet is also getting one. All in all, contaminated water has to be broken every day.
Due to these rotten water, the feet are being wounded. Many people are seeing blisters in the body by increasing itching.
Arup Paul, resident medical officer (RMO) of the 100-bed Sadar Hospital, said 293 patients are undergoing treatment for various diseases. Of these, 51 are diarrhea patients. But most of them are children. Besides, about 1,000 patients receive treatment at the outdoor department every day for various diseases including dermatology and RTI.
Lakshmipur District Civil Surgeon Dr Ahmed Kabir said 64 medical teams are working to ensure treatment for the flood victims. Besides, various social organizations have been providing treatment to the flood victims by holding free medical camps. We are trying our best to ensure medical care for the flood victims.
Meanwhile, the authorities concerned are struggling to provide treatment to more than 10 times more patients in the diarrhoea ward of the 250-bed General Hospital in Feni. Many people are receiving treatment outside the floor and ward and sitting in CNG auto-rickshaws with trees due to bed crisis.
During a visit to the hospital's diarrhoea ward yesterday, it was found that the number of patients admitted to the ward was 176 against 17 beds. Patients between the ages of 0 and 30 are receiving medical care there. Patients above are receiving services in another building. There are 80 patients against 21 beds. Patients are also receiving medical treatment under the open sky and CNG auto-rickshaws to get beds in the hospital courtyard and under the tree. In the children's ward of the hospital, 136 people are receiving treatment against 26 beds.
Payra Akhter came to the hospital with her four-year-old daughter from Dhalia area of Sadar upazila of the district. Unable to find a bed in the diarrhoea ward, he is receiving treatment under the tree in front. There is so much patient pressure here that there is no condition to stay in the ward. I am forced to take treatment under the open sky under the tree," she said.
Salma Ria has brought her daughter suffering from diarrhea from Sharshodi area. After waiting for an hour, the nurses applied saline, but he was receiving treatment sitting on a mat on the side of the road without getting space inside.
Salma Ria said that even after coming to the hospital, she has to take treatment under the open sky. Many people like me are taking treatment on the streets, gardens and sitting in CNG auto-rickshaws without getting space.
Feni Civil Surgeon Dr Mohammad Shihab Uddin said the district health department is providing supervision and necessary assistance in this regard. Besides, many patients are being treated every day at Daganbhuiyan, Sonagazi, Fulgazi, Parshuram and Chhagalnaiya Upazila Health Complexes and local community health clinics.
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