Drinking unboiled water due to gas shortage triggers stomach diseases in Karachi

Karachi witnessed an outbreak of gastroenteritis cases as people were unable to drink filtered and boiled water due to high inflation and the gas crisis.

Dr Liaquat Ali Halo of the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) claimed around 1500 patients have been coming in emergency daily, of which 70 to 80 percent have been diagnosed with gastroenteritis.  

Talking about the reason behind the gastroenteritis case, the health expert said lack of chlorination and infiltration has been contributing to frequent outbreaks in the cases. 

Moreover, he also termed unhygienic food one of the reasons behind gastroenteritis disease.

Dr Liaqat said, “Many patients tell us they have been using unboiled water and readymade food due to inadequate gas supply.”

As many as 371 cases of the said disease were reported in Indus Hospital within 10 days. Last month over 80 patients had been admitted to the hospital for the same reason.

Dr Yahya Tunio of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre seconded the opinion about a spike in gastroenteritis cases in recent days. 

“200 cases of gastroenteritis have been coming daily at the emergency department.”

"If boiled and filtered water is not affordable for people then they should install a three-stage water filter at their homes," he suggested.

Dr Altaf Hussain Khatri, a senior general physician based in the old city area, said that gas shortage has been further increasing the problems of the masses and they have to compromise their health.