Hill Voice, 7 June 2023, Rangamati: Two people have died and more than twenty to twenty-five people including children and aged people are reported to have been affected due to diarrheal disease in Longthian Tripura Para of No.7 Ward of remote Sajek Union in Baghaichari Upazila of Rangamati district.
Today Wednesday, 7th June 2023, early morning, Gabati Bala Tripura (60) died due to diarrhea, said Banabihari Chakma, member of No. 7 Ward of Sajek Union. However, on Tuesday 6 June 2023, another person named Singa Tripura (65) from the same area died, he said.
He also said that for the past one week, there has been an outbreak of this diarrhea in several surrounding areas including Longthian Para, Arun Para, Kaija Para, Ranyapara and Sheldai Para in Sajek. As there are no hospitals or community clinics around the area, primary treatment is being provided by local tantric healers. As the area is inaccessible, it is not possible to send patients to Machalong and Baghaichari Upazila Sadar Hospitals. If a medical team can be sent then it will be possible to provide quick medical care, otherwise the death toll may increase, he fears.
Jopuithang Tripura, member of No.9 Ward of Sajek Union, said that there are ten to twelve diarrhea patients in Sheldai Para area. This disease is mainly spread from running water. In 2016 also, six Jumma villagers died due to diarrhea in this area.
Meanwhile, Baghaichari Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rumana Akhtar admits to the outbreak of diarrhea and said that the area is very inaccessible, there is no option but to walk. This disease is mainly spread from drinking water. Immediately after we got the news, the Upazila Health Complex Medical Officer (UHFPO) Dr. Arabindu Chakma was contacted and instructed to send a medical team. Initially, saline was also supplied from the adjacent BGB BOP, but very limited.
Medical Officer of Baghaichari Upazila Health Complex Dr. Arabindu Chakma said, our medical team of 4 members have already left with necessary medicine, saline and water purification tablets for Sajek. It takes a day to reach the site on foot from Sajek’s Konglak Para. More details will be known when the members of the medical team arrive.
