Over 3,000 cases of gastroenteritis were reported to the Holy Family Hospital (HFH) and Rawalpindi General Hospital (RGH) -- the city's two major hospitals -- in the past six weeks beginning June 1 this year.However, doctors claim that the situation is not alarming and could be controlled by improving hygiene.
| Which is generally what we do in the civilized world ... |
However, a doctor at the emergency department of DHQ said that out of 200 to 230 patients visiting the hospital in 24 hours, five to six patients suffered from gastroenteritis. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Mohammad Umair said that the number of gastro patients was now decreasing, as they were receiving three to four patients daily.
Around 862 gastro patients reported to the Holy Family Hospital till July 16 out of which 241 were adults and 621 children under 12. In June, a total of 1,350 patients reported to the hospital out of which 671 were adults and 679 children. Similarly, a total of 713 patients reported to RGH in June out of which 546 were adults and 167 children. In July, the figure was 292 out of which 137 were adults and 155 children.
The RGH, medical superintendent, Fayyaz Ahmed said that the number of cholera and diarrhoea patients had reduced after the first week of July due to low temperature. He said out of 100 patients, eight to 10 suffered from gastro.