Diarrohea claims 7 in three days at St Martin's
No doctor at lone hospital
Seven people died of diarrhoea while more than 50 others were admitted to hospital in last three days in St Martin's Island in Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazar.
Locals said, there is no doctor in the 10-bed hospital in the coral island. A fourth class employee is taking care of the patients as their sufferings mounting every day.
Witnesses said, Karim Ullah, four-year-old son of farmer Amir Hossain of Dakkhinpara died while being taken to the hospital yesterday morning. Sona Meher, a three and a half years old daughter of fisherman Sona Ali of Majherpara died at noon the same day while being taken to Teknaf Hospital by a trawler.
Sona Ali said, saline and other life-saving medicines are not available at the two medicine shops in St Martin's Island.
Locals said three people died of diarrhoea on Wednesday. They are Fatema Begum, 23, daughter of Kabir Ahmed of Dakkhinpara, Anwara Begum, 30, daughter of Fazal Ahmed of Purbapara and Monir Ahmed, 10, son of Khalil Ahmed of Uttarpara.
Two children died in two other villages of the island on the day before.
Confirming the deaths, chairman of St Martin Island union parishad Feroz Ahmed Khan said, water in most of the tube wells in the island has dried up because of excessive heat. Most other tube wells are giving salty water. People are being affected by diarrhea due to intake of drinking water with excessive salt and adulterated food, he added.
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