During the March-May 2012 quarter, cases of gastrointestinal diseases, which include diarrhea and dysentery and gastroenteritis, went up by 60 percent per district. A total of 690,431 such cases were registered in May as compared to 574,168 recorded in April and 372,411 in March.
These statistics are part of a report released by the Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) on Sunday which covered 84 health offices in as many districts in May this year.
The report says that of the total cases of gastrointestinal infections reported in the monitored month, 614,862 were those of diarrhea and dysentery registered in 84 districts whereas the figure was 527,514 in April and 318,720 in March – a rise of 68 percent during the quarter. In addition, gastroenteritis also witnessed a 16 percent increase over three months -75,569 cases registered in 21 districts in May compared to 46,654 reported in 20 districts in April and 52,691 in 17 districts in March.
FAFEN monitors observed 2,903,480 cases of diseases. The data shows per district increase of 60 percent in the total cases reported in May as compared to April. Gujrat reported the highest disease burden of 20 percent in the monitored month.
Of the total cases, 41 percent were those of Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs). Faisalabad (106,004), Gujranwala (105,564), and Gujrat (66,620) recorded the highest number of such cases. Scabies, a skin disease, constituted 9 percent of the total disease burden with Gujranwala (21,488) and Faisalabad (20,651) reporting the most cases. There were 15,173 cases of animal bites reported in 68 districts. Of these, 96 percent were those of dog bites and 4 percent of snake bites. More than 80 percent of animal bite cases were recorded in Punjab districts. Although no case of dengue was reported, there were 7,068 cases of malaria registered in 28 districts. There were also 5,275 cases of viral diseases, of which 90 percent were those of hepatitis, followed by measles (9 percent), suspected Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (1 percent) and probable poliomyelitis (less than 1 percent). As many as 3,213 cases of tuberculosis were registered in 27 districts, an increase of 36 cases per district. Eight cases of tetanus in four districts were also recorded as compared to 22 in the preceding month. Besides, there were 132 cases of meningitis. As for cases of maternal, infant and child mortality, 120 mothers died due to pregnancy and delivery-related complications in 29 districts. In addition, infant mortality increased by 17 cases per district in May. There were 2,342 cases of infant mortality reported in 36 districts in May compared to 1,787 in 37 districts in April.
However, cases of child mortality witnessed a decline. Figures show that 260 children died in seven districts in May before attaining the age of five years as compared to 325 such cases in six districts in April. Toba Tek Singh (105) reported the most cases of child mortality in the reporting month.
Again, all 10 districts that had the highest disease burden were in Punjab. With 20 percent cases, Gujrat reported the highest disease burden, followed by Gujranwala (6 percent), Faisalabad (6 percent), Bahawalpur (5 percent), Rahimyar Khan (4 percent), Sialkot (3 percent), Lahore (3 percent), Rajanpur (3 percent), Kasur (2 percent) and Hafizabad (2 percent).
Sale of unhygienic food, drinks on the rise
The sale of unhygienic and unhealthy foods and drinks at higher rates is on the rise in the city, particularly at the Railway Station, Peerwadhai, Faizabad, Sawan bus stands and other road side food outlets where the citizens have been left at the mercy of the vendors. It has been observed that vendors selling food items, including samosas, pancakes, pakoras, fruit chaat, tea, and juices, prepare them in smelly open places, where no sanitary arrangements or hygienic measures are taken while preparing these items. The vendors were of the view that they could not afford to consider cleanliness of these items as their margin for profit was shrinking due to inflation. As if preparation of unhealthy food items was not enough, the serving arrangements are also a disgrace, as plates and glasses used for the purpose are not properly cleaned. Drinks are served in used plastic bottles that can transmit different diseases to consumers. Health experts say that substandard drinks and edibles may cause diseases like typhoid, hepatitis, diarrhea and different kinds of infections. Citizens demanded the authorities concerned, to inspect the food available at the Railway station and bus stands in the city, and take appropriate action in this regard. A survey conducted by agencies revealed that all edible items and drinks were being sold at rates 25-50% higher than normal, particularly at the Rawalpindi Railway Station. Almost all food stalls sell traditional fried food like samosas, pakoras, french fries, jalaby, cham cham, halwa puri, gol gapay, fruit chat, dahai bhallay and other food items, while vendors who are not following hygienic guidelines, are responsible for causing gastro-intestinal diseases especially among passengers. They also prepare and cook this food in sub-standard cooking oil, on open main roads. Passengers complained that hotels and restaurants do not follow cleanliness and safety standards. Hotel owners are required to keep the kitchens, pots and utensils clean but most outlets are not following these directions. They have demanded the authorities concerned to take strict action against those involved in these hazardous practices.