Dengue situation worsens at Lalmohan 

LALMOHAN, BHOLA, Oct 18: The number of dengue patients is steadily rising in Lalmohan Upazila of Bhola. From children to the elderly, no one is safe from the bite of this mosquito-borne disease. 

Every day, patients and their relatives are rushing to the Upazila Health Complex with fever and dengue symptoms. Although dengue has been prevalent in the upazila for the past one and a half months, 24 patients have been admitted and received treatment at the health complex in the first 10 days of the current month alone. Earlier, 43 people were admitted and treated in September. Currently, three dengue patients are admitted to the upazila health complex.

On the other hand, many people are also rushing to the Outdoor Department of the Upazila Health Complex every day with dengue symptoms. Dr Md Yusuf Hossain, medical officer (Unani) on duty at the Outdoor Department, said,  “At least five out of every 10 who undergo tests are being diagnosed with dengue. We are providing necessary treatment from the Outdoor Department to those whose physical condition is good, while those whose condition is bad are advised to be admitted to the health complex”.

Meanwhile, Surma Begum, 30, is undergoing treatment at the health complex after being infected with dengue. She is a resident of the Kartarhat area of Ward No 1 of Ramganj Union in the upazila. Surma Begum said she first suddenly caught a fever. She then took medicine from a local pharmacy. As the fever did not subside even after about a week and her body became severely weak, she went to the upazila headquarters and consulted a specialist doctor. Tests then detected her dengue. She has been undergoing treatment at the health complex. Doctors and nurses are visiting her regularly. However, most medicines are not available at the health complex, for which many necessary medicines have to be bought from outside.

In addition, many patients infected with measles, pneumonia and diarrhoea are also being admitted to the 50-bed Lalmohan Upazila Health Complex. In the first 10 days of the current month, 19 patients were admitted with measles. In September, 44 patients received treatment at the health complex after being infected with measles. In the same month, 121 patients infected with pneumonia and 181 patients infected with diarrhoea received treatment.

In this regard, Dr Abu Mahmud Talha Sadi, Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer (UHFP) of Lalmohan, said, “Although there is a shortage of doctors and nurses at the health complex, we are collectively providing sincere service to patients with those currently working. All types of medicines are not always in stock at the health complex. However, the medicines that are in stock are being given to patients free of charge as needed. If there is still a shortage of any medicine, necessary measures will be taken after verification”.

He further said that awareness is most important in preventing dengue. Stagnant water on rooftops, flower tubs, abandoned containers, drums, tyres and other places must be cleaned regularly. To protect against mosquito bites day and night, mosquito nets, mosquito repellents and clothing that covers the body must be used. If fever occurs, expert medical advice should be sought without neglect. Especially if severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding, excessive weakness or breathing difficulties appear, the health complex must be reached within a short time.