Lasbela hit by gastro outbreak
Lasbela hit by gastro outbreak
Editorial
Editorial

Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan Aliyani has declared emergency in Lasbela following Gastro outbreak directed Secretary Health to make sure presence of paramedics’ staff. On the directives of CM Jam Kamal an emergency respond coordinating cell has been established in the district Lasbela while DG Health has been directed to send special team of doctors to treat people effected by gastro outbreak.

Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal Khan Aliyani has declared emergency in Lasbela following Gastro outbreak directed Secretary Health to make sure presence of paramedics’ staff. On the directives of CM Jam Kamal an emergency respond coordinating cell has been established in the district Lasbela while DG Health has been directed to send special team of doctors to treat people effected by gastro outbreak.

On Thursday 15 patients including women and children hit by gastro outbreak have been brought to DHQ Hospital where they have been provide all medical assistance. Medical Officer, Health Staff and PPHI’s teams have been reached in the areas and embarked treatment.

Earlier in 2017, the health department’s official record revealed that at least 193,117 acute diarrhea patients (viral gastroenteritis) were admitted to government-run hospitals in Faisalabad, Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Chakwal, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Jhelum, Kasur, Khanewal, Layyah, Mandi Bahauddin, Narowal, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Sheikhupra, Toba Tek Singh, Vehari, Bhakkar, Chiniot, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jhang, Lodran Mianwali, Muzaffargarh, Nankana Sahib and other cities from January 1 to  May 11, 2017.

The highest number of patients suffering from the disease was reported in Lahore followed by DG Khan, Sheikhupura, Multan, Bahawalpur and Faisalabad. The poor eating habits, consumption of unhygienic food, supply of substandard drinking water and subsoil water were also some of the factors that contributed towards an increase in the cases of gastroenteritis. Health experts believe that the recurrence of these diseases could be curbed through minimal precautions.

They believed that extreme summers may increase the incidence of dysentery and nausea among children. Major causes of gastro include substandard feeders, unhygienic conditions, high prevalence of flies and the increased use of toxic, contaminated food items.

The authorities are running awareness campaigns every year on how seasonal infections can be avoided. However, they acknowledged a lot more ought to be done to obtain desired results.

“The need of the hour is to launch awareness campaigns in schools and at community level, enabling the general public to take necessary preventive measures to avoid this disease and the health departments should be well equipped and prepared to cope with the situation.