Gastroenteritis Hits Pakistan with Full-force
Eid-ul-adha was a time of blessings but unfortunately Pakistanis had to endure a strong wave of gastroenteritis right after eid. Multiple cases of the disease were reported throughout the country, especially in Sindh. Doctors and civil society members are concerned that it’s been more than one month now and gastroenteritis along with many other water borne diseases are haunting the country.
The economic hub of the country Karachi is especially impacted because of water sewage issues brought on by an untimely monsoon.
Gastroenteritis all around Pakistan
Last month right after Eid-ul-Adha reports of several cases of gastroenteritis started coming in from the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. According to a report by The News, 40 to 50% of patients admitted at the Allied hospitals and PIMS right from the first day of eid were of gastroenteritis and stomach related diseases.
The Allied hospitals and PIMS combined received around 2000 patients of stomach problems in only the first two days of Eid. All the influx was in these hospitals because most of other hospitals do not operate on Eid. Other hospitals such as Holy Family, Benazir Bhutto etc received around 400 patients of gastric problems on the first day of eid.
What is the situation of Karachi?
The gastro wave that started from the twin cities has now reached the economic hub of the country-Karachi. According to a very recent report by The News, the city is getting drowned in gastroenteritis and other water borne diseases.
Although this wave of stomach problems also started in Karachi on the occasion of eid but the conditions are worsened by heavy rains. The poor sewage system has put all the filth of the city on the streets and it is reeking with disease. There is also an alert of a heavy fly epidemic because of all the filth flowing through the city.
What is being done?
To deal with the problem, health alerts and cleanliness drives have been arranged but unfortunately patients are still coming in. It is important that the government steps in and cleans Karachi or else this epidemic will keep growing.
