Infection is increasing in remote areas of Alikadam, there is apathy towards vaccination
Only patients and patients on the beds and floors of Alikadam Upazila Health Center in Bandarban. The hospital with only 31 beds now has 72 patients. Among them, there are about 50 patients with measles symptoms, mostly children and some teenagers with measles symptoms. The temporary clinic at Kurukpata Bazar has been moved to Poamuhuri for the convenience of patients from remote areas. Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer (UHFPO) Md. Hanifi said this information.
After a few days of treatment at the makeshift clinic in Kurukpata Bazar, the number of patients with measles symptoms around the area has decreased. But about 25 km away from there, patients have increased in Poamuhuri and surrounding remote Mro neighborhoods. Due to this, the doctors, nurses and health workers in the temporary clinic in Kurukpata market have been taken to Poamuhuri. Officials of the health department said that patients are being treated at Vidyamanipara Government Primary School in Poyamuhuri.
The director of Prennoy Hostel in Poyamuhuri area, Uthwaingya said that more than 40 patients from remote neighborhoods have come to get medical treatment in Poyamuhuri area with the help of the army. Among them, 4 in the morning and 12 in the afternoon have been brought to the health center. Boarding arrangements have been made for other patients at Vidyamanipara Government Primary School. As there is no place for doctors and other health workers to spend the night in Poamuhuri, their kurukpata will be taken to the market. Will be brought to Vidyamanipara school for treatment again in the morning.
The leaders and workers of Mro youth organization are taking care of the admission, accommodation and food of the patients of the upazila health center. The president of the organization, Sethong Mro, said that 4 patients have been admitted to the hospital this morning and 12 in the afternoon. Currently, 48 patients are under treatment, including 32 admitted on Saturday. As there are no beds in the hospital, most of the patients are kept on beds on the floor.
UHFPO Md. Hanif said that before taking to the temporary clinic in Poyamuhuri, the army and people's representatives had informed the remote areas. Army personnel also assisted in bringing patients from remote areas. It is possible to bring more patients with the combined efforts of Mro Youth Organization, Prennoy Hostel authorities. As a result, the situation will become normal.
Two days ago, Chairman of Kurukpata Union Parishad, Kratpung Mro told Prothom Alo that the Mros of remote areas have superstitions about vaccination. They think that children will not be able to grow properly if given vaccination. He does not want to come to the hospital if he is infected. Because of this, disease spreads and outbreaks occur. However, due to the death of a few people in the outbreak, most of the residents have come to vaccinate.
UHFPO Md. Hanif also told about the trend of non-vaccination of Mrod, still two small villages bordering Myanmar have not agreed to vaccinate. How to vaccinate them is being discussed with the people's representatives, especially the MRO leaders. He said that it is difficult to reach healthcare to the inaccessible people. They are also not interested in seeking medical care. Because of this, if only one or two people were affected, it would not spread if they came to get treatment. Their health awareness is also very weak. He said that to eliminate this situation, educated people should be trained as health workers.
