SAMANGAN, Afghanistan — Doctors in the central province of Samangan report a significant increase in seasonal illnesses during the Eid holidays, primarily due to a lack of access to clean drinking water.
Samangan Provincial Hospital has seen hundreds of patients suffering from seasonal ailments in recent days, doctors said.
“Samangan is one of the provinces where most people have little or no access to clean drinking water, which has led to the spread of diarrhea and vomiting,” said Usman Hamidi, the director of the provincial hospital. “Those suffering from malnutrition are particularly susceptible to these illnesses.”
Several patients at the Samangan Provincial Hospital reported falling ill after consuming contaminated water.
“My stomach hurt, so I went to a clinic and got some medicine, but it didn’t help. Now I’ve come to the hospital,” said Rahimullah, a resident of Samangan.
Another resident, Ahmadullah, urged families to use clean water to avoid sickness. “I ask families to use safe drinking water so they don’t have to come to the hospital,” he said.
Doctors noted that women and children are particularly vulnerable to illnesses such as diarrhea and vomiting.
“My son was sick, so I brought him here. He’s better now, and the doctors are taking care of him,” said Mohammad Ali, a Samangan resident. “When I first brought him, his condition was bad, but now he’s improving.”
Health experts attribute the rise in illnesses to the consumption of unsafe water, overeating, and the hot weather.
