A severe diarrhea outbreak has affected several remote Mro communities and other hilly areas of Lama Upazila in Bandarban, causing a sharp rise in patient admissions at Lama Upazila Health Complex.
During visits to the hospital on Tuesday and Wednesday (June 23–24), numerous diarrhea patients were seen receiving treatment on the floor as the number of admissions exceeded the hospital’s capacity.
According to Menpre Mro, a second-year college student and resident of Chumpong Headman Mro Para in Ward No. 9 of Rupasipara Union, 19 families live in the village. Of them, members of 18 families have been affected by diarrhea.
He said many residents were admitted to Lama Upazila Health Complex at different times over the past week. While many patients have recovered and returned home, 13 people, including a mother and child from the village, remain under treatment.
Local residents and public representatives said remote hilly areas face a severe shortage of safe drinking water during the monsoon season. As a result, many residents rely on muddy water from streams and waterfalls, increasing the risk of water-borne diseases such as diarrhea.
Dr. Soleman Ahmed, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of Lama Upazila Health Complex, said diarrhea cases typically increase during June and July due to the lack of clean drinking water in remote hill communities.
“Many residents consume contaminated water from natural springs, leading to outbreaks of diarrhea in several Mro villages. Patients from Chumpong Headman Mro Para have received free medicines and necessary treatment. Many have already recovered, and our medical team is working round the clock to treat those still hospitalized,” he said.
He added that a medical team was sent to the affected village, where 25 diarrhea patients received treatment and health support.
Residents and local community leaders have called for urgent measures to ensure access to safe drinking water in remote areas to prevent further outbreaks.
