Incidence of diarrhoea in and around Dhaka
Sunday, 3 May 2009
The number of diarrhoea patients is increasing day by day. Everyday about 1,000 patients come to the ICDDR, B for treatment. This hospital has no control over this increasing pressure on it. Already they have opened three tents to face this problem. According to authorities, 26 people including a child have died of diarrhoea.
In 2007, the government of that time assured the public that necessary measures to build more diarrhoea centres would be taken. But we are yet to see the assurance materialise.
The people have no faith in local treatment. So, whenever they or their children are attacked by diarrhoea, they come to ICDDR, B. They come not only from Dhaka city, but also from adjacent districts. Sometimes, it so happens that diarrhoea patients die on the way to hospital purely for want of water. Newspapers often carry reports on such incidents.
Of the other reasons that cause diarrhoea, water is the most important one. The dwellers of Dhaka city do not get safe water. Therefore, the incidence of diarrhoea is gradually on the rise because people are compelled to drink polluted water. Common people's awareness about the issue is necessary. They are not aware about their health. They don't know what is harmful for them. Under the circumstances, the government should take necessary steps to raise awareness about safe water and sanitation in order to control this problem.
Mahfuzur Rahman Manik
IER, DU
In 2007, the government of that time assured the public that necessary measures to build more diarrhoea centres would be taken. But we are yet to see the assurance materialise.
The people have no faith in local treatment. So, whenever they or their children are attacked by diarrhoea, they come to ICDDR, B. They come not only from Dhaka city, but also from adjacent districts. Sometimes, it so happens that diarrhoea patients die on the way to hospital purely for want of water. Newspapers often carry reports on such incidents.
Of the other reasons that cause diarrhoea, water is the most important one. The dwellers of Dhaka city do not get safe water. Therefore, the incidence of diarrhoea is gradually on the rise because people are compelled to drink polluted water. Common people's awareness about the issue is necessary. They are not aware about their health. They don't know what is harmful for them. Under the circumstances, the government should take necessary steps to raise awareness about safe water and sanitation in order to control this problem.
Mahfuzur Rahman Manik
IER, DU