Diarrhea patients up in Palu

PALU, Central Sulawesi: The number of people afflicted with diarrhea is increasing in Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, with 50 patients admitted to several local hospitals this week.

Most of the patients are babies and children. They were admitted to intensive care units to prevent dehydration.

The deputy director of Undata General Hospital, Dr. Riry Lamadjido, said the number of diarrhea patients had increased from last week.

Riry said most of the patients had diarrhea due to the consumption of unhygienic food or beverages, climatic change or unhygienic living conditions.

The health agency head in Palu, Dr. Abdullah, said he was unaware of the increase in diarrhea patients in the city. He said hospitals and public health centers had yet to inform him of the matter. -- Antara