Diarrhea gets out of control in Rukum

MEGRAJ KHADKA
RUKUM, Feb 5

The District Hospital in Rukum has failed to take diarrhea outbreak in Rukum, that has affected children in the past one month, under control. Having started from the district headquarters, it has now spread to over 18 village development committees (VDC). The District Hospital receives over 10 new cases daily with the majority of them under one year in age.

The disease first detected on January 11 has now taken epidemic proportion with four children dying between January 25-27. “It has now spread beyond the control of the District Hospital,” Chief of the District Hospital in Salle Dr Bhoj Raj Gautam said. Though the trend of deaths has decreased due to our maximum efforts, the number of patients is rising. We have tired as more than 10 new cases arrive every day. We cannot control it if the center does not take any initiative,” he added. Over 200 patients have come to the hospital for treatment in the past two weeks and the hospital has referred 25 critically ill kids to Kathmandu and Nepalgunj for further treatment. “We have demanded for a team with human resources immediately but to no avail. We have kept all the health institutions on a high alert as it can spread across the district. But we alone cannot do anything if the center does not take any initiative,” he stated.

The children are also suffering from pneumonia and malnutrition. He reasoned that the infection of diarrhea and pneumonia has increased due to lack of attention toward eating well and wearing warm clothes during the winter season. He said the stool samples have been sent to Kathmandu for tests but reports have yet to arrive.
The parents in the district are worried due to the sudden problem in children and the government’s apathy. Over 60 had died of diarrhea epidemic and thousands were affected in the district four years ago.  
http://www.karobardaily.com/news/2014/02/diarrhea-gets-out-of-control-in-rukum