"She is no more but I´m worried about my other family members," said Nagari. Ganga´s brother Shambhu is also suffering from diarrhea. [break]"They were both undergoing treatment but my granddaughter couldn´t be saved," he added.
According to Doti District Health office, nine people have already lost their lives to diarrhea over the last few weeks.
Local health worker Suresh Khadka said Nari´s family had agreed to go to hospital only after pressure from health workers and Nepal Army officials. Earlier, they had been visiting a shaman for treatment. "They were convinced only after we constantly pressed them to visit the doctor. Shambhu is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital," said Khadka, adding, “Shambhu is still not able to talk but he is recuperating."
District Epidemic Control Division Chief Tej Bikram Shahi informed that Shambhu would fully recover within a week. "He could have died had we not intervened in time," Shahi added.
According to District Health Office Doti, diarrhea patients are increasing every other day. In the last two months alone, 437 diarrhea patients have received treatment in the district. DHO also informed that they have been facing difficulties in containing diarrhea spread due to shortage of health workers.
“Sixty seven positions for health workers have fallen vacant and 13 others are on leave. We have been facing difficulties containing the disease as we have limited manpower," said Mahendra Dhoj Adhikari, chief, District Health Office.
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