86 children die of different diseases in Baghlan in 4 months

PUL-I-KHUMRI (Pajhwok): Doctors at the provincial hospital in northern Baghlan province say 86 children died of different diseases, particularly diarrhea, in the past four months.

Dr. Merajuddin Meraj, a specialist in children’s ward in the provincial hospital, told a press conference here that about 200 children were daily brought to the hospital for treatment of various diseases.

He said the hospital received 930 children with diarrhea in last four months and admitted them and during this period, 86 children died from different diseases.

According to him, 20 of the children died in June and 23 others in July.

Responding to a question, Dr. Meraj replied: “I cannot say anything about the increase or decline in children deaths last year, but some facilities have been created in the hospital and children are treated very well.”

For instance, he said last year two or three ailing children would share a bed, but this issue has been addressed this year.

A mother, whose child is admitted in the hospital, she said her son had severe fever and doctors had given him some medicines, but his condition was yet to improve.

A resident of Khwaja Alwan area, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said her child had respiratory problem and she had been in the provincial hospital for the past three days.

According to doctors, diarrhea is a viral disease that affects children under five years of age, but mostly children under one year of age are at risk of death.

Sa/ma