Hospitals in flood affected areas are in poor condition
Medical students said to deal with the disaster in Bangladesh. We have a total of 619 medical teams working to provide medical services to flood victims in Bangladesh. The ground floor of Feni district hospital is completely submerged. Special care newborn unit, emergency department, store room, blood bank are all under water. Various hospital items are floating in the water. It can be seen on the surface, the chair table of the emergency department has completely sunk. Some bags are lying in the water. Medicine packets are also seen floating. On the second floor of the administrative building of the hospital, there are several other departments including children's ward, gynecology. Electricity sub-stations are submerged in flood water. Due to the power cut, it is dark there even during the day. We are for emergency operations due to power outages. It has to be taken with the help of a hand generator and battery. But the batteries do not have a recharge system. Again the necessary oil for the generator has to be kept available. A committed team from the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) successfully delivered more than 1,000 essential medicines, including oral saline, water purification tablets, hand sanitizer, paracetamol, metronidazole, sanitary pads and baby diapers.
250 bedded General Hospital- Feni, Bangladesh
Increase in disease in flood affected areas
Due to the rain caused by the low pressure during the flood, and the body being wet for a long time in the flood water. Elderly and children are mostly affected by fever and cold. Shelters are disoriented. All those in shelters are upset. . Not even enough dry clothes. Flood victims are suffering from skin diseases. Along with other diseases, people affected by floods also suffer from skin problems. The skin of children is also affected negatively at this time. Fungal infections are caused by wet skin at any age. There has been an outbreak of scabies. Various types of bacteria are carried along with the flood water, and harmful chemicals mixed in the water are causing such diseases.
Medical volunteer students warn flood victims. A fungal or bacterial infection of the skin or an allergy may cause itching or redness; Wounds may occur. Avoiding exposure to flood water will protect the skin. But the reality is that it is not always possible to take such precautions during flash floods. So it is necessary to know about the practical solution of the problem. You can take care of these things after moving away from the water to a safe place. At this time, Dr. Dermatologist gave various information about various aspects of skin protection. Israt Khan After contact with flood water, wash skin with soap and clean water as soon as possible. If clean water is not available, clean that part of the skin with a disinfectant solution. Then dry it with a clean cloth. The skin between the fingers or other skin folds may remain wet for a long time. Care should be taken to wipe these parts thoroughly. Use good water to clean the body. If there is little water, there is no opportunity to take a bath. In that case, you can wipe the face, head and body by soaking a clean cloth in that water. Remember, not cleaning the skin for a long time can increase the risk of various skin problems. Clothing that has come in contact with flood water should be washed with warm water and detergent before reuse. It is necessary to follow this rule for all types of clothes including clothes and used clothes, including bed sheets.
Care must be taken while cleaning the house or surrounding area after a flood, so that the skin is not injured by sharp or sharp objects during cleaning. Because, no one knows what exactly has floated in the flood water. Where there seems to be only mud, there may be dangerous objects such as blades, pins, and thorns. If the skin has been cut or scratched in any way, then extra precautions are needed. When there is a risk of exposure to flood water, efforts should be made to cover the cut with a waterproof bandage. If waterproof bandages are absolutely not available, then gauze, and if that too is not available, cloth should be rolled up. Try not to flood the wound. If it still sticks, it should be cleaned and dried quickly.
Do not wear wet clothes. Should be replaced as soon as possible. Do not step into flood water with bare feet. Rubber boots are required to wade through flood waters. If rubber boots are not available, other waterproof shoes, such as plastic shoes, can be worn. If you don't have that, you have to wear the shoes that are nearby. If you don't have shoes, you can wear sandals. After leaving the flood water, wash your feet with soapy water and dry them quickly. It is better not to walk barefoot in areas exposed to flood water, after the flood, that is, even after the water recedes; Sandals or shoes should be used. Even after the water inside the house has receded, one cannot walk without sandals or shoes until it is properly cleaned. Toys that have come into contact with flood water should not be given to children without thorough cleaning. Toys made of cotton or foam materials that absorb water are best thrown away.
Medical camp of Bangladeshi medical students in flood affected areas
Patients with respiratory problems are increasing due to floods
The number of patients suffering from respiratory problems due to floods is increasing day by day. Most of the patients are suffering from cold-related diseases including shortness of breath, cough, sore throat, chest pain, and sneezing. Dr. Tanveer Ahad Joy and Dr. Tanveer Ahad Joy of Dhaka Medical College gave this information after providing medical services at Ladibagh Primary School, a remote shelter in the flood-hit Rajapur Union of Comilla's Burichong. Sabrina Mansoor. Several teams of expert doctors from Dhaka Medical College were providing medical services in the flood affected areas. As part of this, the team went to the Ladi Bagh area of Rajapur Union, a remote area of Burichong. This is the first medical team to reach the area since the floods started. Most of the people in this area were affected by various diseases due to not going to any doctor before. Among the 102 patients, most are children and women. They are suffering from colds, especially respiratory problems. Specialist doctors are quite surprised by a marriage. They reported that 90% of people in Bangladesh were given the Covid-19 vaccine. It has been a huge success. During the rainy season or in cold weather, the amount of cold, cough, and sore throat is much less. Another thing they noticed is that the use of the antibiotic azithromycin, which doctors used to use, has also decreased significantly.
Diarrhea and snake bite patients are increasing due to flood in Noakhali
Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Noakhali General Hospital Syed Mohiuddin Abdul Azim said that the number of patients with diarrhea and snake bite is increasing in the hospital every day. At present, 68 people are admitted in the hospital suffering from diarrhea and 25 are snake bite patients. Apart from this, 93 diarrhea patients are receiving treatment in 8 upazila health complexes affected by floods in the district.
Counseling of Bangladeshi medical students among flood affected people
How to properly purify drinking water
Water is a life saving material. But instead of saving lives, it can be life-threatening if not properly purified. It is very important for you to know the ways in which water can be purified.
To boil
Boiling is a universal way of purifying water. But there is a misconception about how long to boil water. According to the World Health Organization, water should be boiled for 5-25 minutes at 60°C or 100°C or boiled for 1-3 minutes after boiling. Boiling water for extra time reduces the amount of oxygen in it along with essential elements.
Filter method
Another popular method of purifying water is the filtration method. Filter method is most effective especially for rural people. The filter system can be easily manufactured at low cost. How does this method work? To begin with, a clean container should be made with small holes and a layer of charcoal with a thin cotton cloth. The next step is to easily build your own 'purification apparatus' with sand and stones. For water purification in the filter system, the components have to be changed every few days.
Chlorine tablets or bleaching powder
Chlorine tablets are available in the market. Through this, more water can be purified in a short time very easily. 1 tablet can purify 3 liters of water. Bleaching powder should be added in 10 liters of water and after 30 minutes the above water should be stored in another container and used. Water purified by this method may have some odor, which is greatly reduced by stirring with a stick after storage. Pregnant women and those suffering from thyroid problems should avoid drinking water treated with chlorine tablets or bleaching.
Solar system
If the water is left in the strong sunlight for 6 hours, the water becomes pure. But you can't get that kind of intense sun.
Through iodine
Water can be purified with 2 percent iodine in 1 liter of water. Or iodine tablets can be purified by adding 2 to 1 liter of water or 3 if the water is cloudy. But this method cannot be done without skilled people. Because, if the level of iodine is not right, the water will not be pure. Ionized water should not be consumed continuously for more than 3 weeks. Because it can cause thyroid problems. Pregnant and thyroid patients should not drink water treated with iodine.
Students talk about ways to conserve water
The water storage container must be clean. It is better if it is not a plastic container. Earthen, steel or aluminum containers should be used for storage. And all types of utensils should be used properly. So that all the containers do not accumulate and various types of microorganisms such as mosquitoes can not breed. Mosquitoes, a family of 3,600 species of small flies. It mostly lays its eggs in still water and reproduces in large numbers. We have to pay special attention to these things so that we can be a little careful. Medical students said that mosquito infestation is high in almost all countries of Central Asia including Bangladesh. Because of this, dengue and malaria diseases can increase in all flood affected areas. That is why everyone is advised to take early action and be careful.
Is rain water healthy?
Rainwater directly from the sky is completely safe. But the risk of contamination increases during rainwater harvesting. So after storage it should be boiled or strained or purified by other means to drink. Water is the source of various water-borne diseases including diarrhea, typhoid, jaundice, cholera, which can cause human death. Therefore, the purity of the life-saving material should be ensured before consumption.