Biratnagar/Sunsari, August 16

Flood victims of Sunsari and Morang districts sheltering in temporary camps after being displaced from their homes following this week’s floods have begun falling sick.

“There are many who have fallen sick but most of them can’t afford treatment, as they are poor and have lost whatever they had in floods,” said Sabin Dahal, chairperson of Hami Yuba, which is involved in setting up health camps for flood victims in the affected areas, adding that fever, cough, and skin and eye problems are common ailments.

According to Dahal, a health camp was set up in Musahar settlement in Biratnagar Metropolis-19 today. Three of the patients treated there were in critical condition and were referred for advanced health care. “Children from settlements on the river front have been the worst affected, but sadly health workers haven’t been able to reach out to all of them,” said Youth for Blood, Morang, Chair Himal Sapkota.

According to Biratnagar-based Koshi Zonal Hospital, there has been a surge of patients in recent days. “Every day more and more flood victims visit the hospital for treatment,” said Nawaraj Luintel, a staffer at the hospital, adding that 25 flood victims have been admitted to the hospital so far.

Morang District Public Health Office Chief Chandradev Mehata acknowledged the risk of an outbreak among flood victims. “We are aware of the possibility of an outbreak. That’s why we are running mobile health camps,” he said, adding that health workers’ teams have been assigned to nine local levels in the south. The teams are treating patients, while spreading health awareness among the public, he said.

There are 36 camps set up for flood-displaced people in Morang district.

Meanwhile, BP Koirala Institute of Health and Sciences has also launched free mobile health camps in the flood-affected areas in Sunsari. According to BPKIHS Director Dr Gauri Shankar Sah, the institute is planning to deploy teams in other flood-affected districts as well. Today, the BPKIHS team ran a mobile camp in Sunsari’s Bhokraha and provided service to over 200 patients.

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