Journalists barred to perform duty : Over 500 female workers suffer from diarrhoea , other dseases after drinking toxic water in Ishwardi EPZ
Roving Correspondent, Ishwardi
Over 500 female workers in Ishwardi Export Processing Zone (EPZ) have been admitted to various hospitals including Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex in the last two days after
drinking toxic water from the EPZ. The workers have been affected by the water being poisoned by dirt, snakes and rats in the EPZ's untreated water tank. Several workers are on the verge of death.
drinking toxic water from the EPZ. The workers have been affected by the water being poisoned by dirt, snakes and rats in the EPZ's untreated water tank. Several workers are on the verge of death.
Due to the shortage of doctors, the doctors on duty are struggling to provide emergency care to the patients who come to the hospital at the same time. And as the condition of several of them has deteriorated, they have been sent from Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex to Pabna and Rajshahi Medical College Hospital.
This information was reported by various sources from the sick and general workers of some companies of Ishwardi EPZ on Saturday morning and the previous day, Friday afternoon, from the EP's own hospital and the Upazila Health Complex.
All the infected are workers of other companies in the EPZ, including Renaissance Barind Limited, Denim Vintage Studio (EBA), Nakano International BD, Stella Hair, Oscar Bangla. Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex and the infected workers said that they ate their daily meals last Thursday afternoon. They drank water from the supply line provided to the EPZ companies. A few hours later, the workers started feeling sick. Some of the workers immediately took leave and went home. From midnight on that day (Thursday) to Friday afternoon more than a hundred workers came to the hospital for treatment for various problems including diarrhea. During
this time, many went home after receiving primary treatment. Several workers were admitted to the hospital.
But when their condition deteriorated, 14/15 people were sent to Pabna and Rajshahi Medical College Hospitals in critical condition. Currently, 32 patients are undergoing treatment in the male and female wards of Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex with diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain. EPZ workers said that the water they drank during lunch last Thursday had a slight stench. Many of them fell ill suddenly while on duty on Friday morning.
At the same time, they were admitted to the hospital because they started vomiting. They believe that the oroblem is probably due to the water. Dr. Faisal Hasan, a doctor at Ishwardi EPZ's Bepza Hospital, said that this is the diarrhea season. It is normal to get diarrhea twice a year. There is no reason to fear it. Treatment is being provided at Bepza Hospital. If it gets worse, they are being sent to Ishwardi, Pabna and Ramech Hospitals.
Dr. Md. Shahedul Islam Shishir, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Ishwardi Upazila Health Complex, said that the number of diarrhea patients has increased slightly. In the last two days, more than a hundred workers of Ishwardi EPZ have been admitted to the hospital due to diarrhea caused by bacteria in food or water. Of these, 51 were admitted till 1 pm on Saturday. And 42 were admitted earlier on Friday. Of these, three women and one man have been sent to Rajshahi Medical College (RMC). And 47 have been sent home after treatment.
He further said that the number of infected patients is increasing. The matter has been informed to the Pabna Civil Surgeon through the appropriate authorities. Meanwhile, the journalists on duty tried to meet and talk to the in- charge of Renesa Barind Limited with the permission of the EPZ ED, but they did not meet them and sent them away on the pretext of a meeting. On the other hand, there are allegations that although variously identified infected people constantly roam the EPZ, no journalist is allowed to enter to perform their duties. In this regard, Ishwardi EPZ Executive Director (ED) ABM Shahidul Islam said, we have come to know about the matter.
BEPZA and the companies are investigating the treatment of the affected people. He also said that about 20,000 workers work in the EPZ. We also drink the supplied water with them. If there is a problem with the water, all the workers, including us, are supposed to be affected. But only a few workers have been affected there.
The supplied water was sent to the lab for testing on Saturday.
