Staff Reporter :
Dr. S M Rafiqul Islam, Senior Medical Officer, Diarrhoeal Disease Unit of International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease and Research in Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) said to the New Nation on Thursday that seasonal diarrhoea is rising in the country and the hospital authorities are working under pressure to combat excess patients.
According to Dr. Rafiqul Islam, seasonal diarrhoea is prevalent during two seasons, mainly, pre monsoon from March till May and after monsoon in the flood season starting from late August.
When queried about the current scenario in the capital, Dr. Rafiqul Islam said, ‘ This year the situation is better than last couple of years as because an early monsoon (rainy season) started this year with heavy rain and thunder starting from April 1st. So, although, we are working under pressure for the last couple of weeks , still we are managing pretty well than previous years during this period of the season.’
Dr. Rafiqul Islam added,’ We have a hospital of international standard with a bed capacity of 350. However, during the pre monsoon season, we have to work under pressure. This year some 400 plus patients have been admitted in the hospital. We have camps where special beds can be arranged within a day notice to accommodate the extra patients.’
Speaking about diarrhoea, Dr. Rafiqul Islam said, ‘ This disease is more prevalent in the lower class community due to lack of hygiene sense. Raising public awareness through workshops and maintaining
individual hygiene is the only way to combat this crisis. Seasonal diarrhoea is more prevalent in adults of reproductive age groups than infants and the prominence is 40 to 45 pc in lower and middle class income groups with the prevalence being less in upper class.’
Dr. Rafiqul Islam was very positive in his opinion when asked to speak on the issue of disease and women empowerment. According to him, women in our country are more educated and have the option to treat themselves without fearing social and religious barriers than previous times. More women are getting themselves admitted in the ICDDR,B hospital with diarrhoea disease than before times when they were fearful and were treated at home respecting social norms.
Dr. S M Rafiqul Islam, Senior Medical Officer, Diarrhoeal Disease Unit of International Center for Diarrhoeal Disease and Research in Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) said to the New Nation on Thursday that seasonal diarrhoea is rising in the country and the hospital authorities are working under pressure to combat excess patients.
According to Dr. Rafiqul Islam, seasonal diarrhoea is prevalent during two seasons, mainly, pre monsoon from March till May and after monsoon in the flood season starting from late August.
When queried about the current scenario in the capital, Dr. Rafiqul Islam said, ‘ This year the situation is better than last couple of years as because an early monsoon (rainy season) started this year with heavy rain and thunder starting from April 1st. So, although, we are working under pressure for the last couple of weeks , still we are managing pretty well than previous years during this period of the season.’
Dr. Rafiqul Islam added,’ We have a hospital of international standard with a bed capacity of 350. However, during the pre monsoon season, we have to work under pressure. This year some 400 plus patients have been admitted in the hospital. We have camps where special beds can be arranged within a day notice to accommodate the extra patients.’
Speaking about diarrhoea, Dr. Rafiqul Islam said, ‘ This disease is more prevalent in the lower class community due to lack of hygiene sense. Raising public awareness through workshops and maintaining
individual hygiene is the only way to combat this crisis. Seasonal diarrhoea is more prevalent in adults of reproductive age groups than infants and the prominence is 40 to 45 pc in lower and middle class income groups with the prevalence being less in upper class.’
Dr. Rafiqul Islam was very positive in his opinion when asked to speak on the issue of disease and women empowerment. According to him, women in our country are more educated and have the option to treat themselves without fearing social and religious barriers than previous times. More women are getting themselves admitted in the ICDDR,B hospital with diarrhoea disease than before times when they were fearful and were treated at home respecting social norms.
