The beautiful valley of Swat, in the northern part of NWFP (Pakistan), is being plagued now a day by multiple problems. Subject to the trials of terrorism, now the inhabitants of the area are being victimized by gastroenteritis that is spreading in the population fast as an epidemic. The number of affected people has gone beyond 3600!

Gastroenteritis, shortly known as ‘gastro’, started rather abruptly in Swat around 1st October, 2008 (coinciding with the first day of the Eid festival). The disease is characterized by symptoms of acute diarrhea and inflammation of the intestinal tract. Contaminated water and food are mainly responsible for carrying the viruses and bacteria that cause gastroenteritis. In the case of Swat, drinking water and unhealthy flour are thought to be the main agents carrying gastro germs.

So far, people living in the localities of Aman Kot, Faizabad, Malam Jabba and Mingora have the highest incidence of gastro. Majority of the patients are women and children, though all age categories and genders have contracted the infection. The government hospital in Saidu Sharif (about 3 km from Mingora city) remains crowded with local patients of gastroenteritis. For the medical staff at the hospital, treating swarms of patients has become a challenge. The situation is aggravated by the poor supply of electric power and the limited number of advanced medical facilities.

At the moment, UNICEF, WHO, and Pak Army are the helping hands for local health administration both in providing staff for medical assistance and in donating emergency fund. Owing to the awareness campaign against gastro, many people have started using boiled water for drinking.