Post-Flood Health Risk and Rehabilitation

The recent flood situation affecting 160 unions across 28 upazilas of the country major seven districts is no longer confined to the realm of a humanitarian crisis; rather, it has evolved into a dire health risk.

According to data from the Directorate General of Health Services’ Health Emergency Operation Center and Control Room, 667 people in flood-affected areas contracted diarrhea in a single day on July 15.

During the same period, six people suffered snakebites, and three died from drowning.

Furthermore, in the span of just five days since 10 July, 2,630 people have received medical treatment at hospitals in flood-hit areas.

Of these, 2,462 were suffering from diarrhea. Additionally, 123 people were bitten by snakes, and 21 died from drowning.

The true health risks associated with the floods have not yet fully unfolded before us.

Floodwaters have only just begun to recede, and the actual situation, including the extent of the damage, will become clear within a few days.

Health experts say the real crisis begins after the floodwaters recede.

During this period, waterborne and infectious diseases reach alarming levels due to a contaminated environment, an acute shortage of safe drinking water, and severe overcrowding in shelters.

Consequently, diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis spread rapidly.

To prevent this, it is essential to drink water that has been boiled or treated with water purification tablets.

Pneumonia also occurs during this time; therefore, extra care must be taken regarding children and the elderly.

After the water recedes, clear water pooling in various places becomes a breeding ground for Aedes mosquitoes, thereby increasing the incidence of Dengue and Chikungunya.

To tackle the disaster situation, the current government has already opened 3,067 shelters in the affected areas, and 3,117 medical teams are providing healthcare services.

According to the Directorate General of Health Services, approximately 22,000 vials of anti-snake venom are currently stocked at the field level. Arrangements are also being made to supply an additional 25,000 vials very quickly.

Furthermore, to ensure the continuity of medical services, approximately 7.5 million packets of ORS (oral saline), 400,000 bags of cholera saline, and over 3.6 million water purification tablets have been kept ready at the field level. These initiatives are undoubtedly praiseworthy.

Fresh flooding could occur at any moment in the river basins and other districts across the country’s northern, north-eastern, and south-eastern regions.

Therefore, taking advance preparations in these areas right now would demonstrate prudence.

Alongside these government initiatives, private entities, voluntary organizations, and the country’s conscious civil society must also step forward to overcome this crisis.