Number of arsenic patients decreased in a decade: health minister

Health Minister Zahid Maleque today told parliament that the number of patients suffering from arsenic poisoning is currently 7,776.

Responding to a query from Jatiya Party MP Moshiur Rahman Ranga, the health minister said, as per the household survey report of 2012, there were 65,910 arsenic patients in the country.

This shows the number of arsenic-related patients decreased by eight folds in a decade.

During this time, 79 patients died from arsenic-related diseases.

Maleque said the recent numbers were compiled based on the information received from the Civil Surgeon and the Upazila Health and Family Welfare Officer.

Today’s question-answer session was placed on the table with Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair.

The health minister said that awareness has been created among the people as a result of extensive campaigns. “That’s why people are drinking safe water free of arsenic.”

As a result, the number of patients suffering from arsenic poisoning has decreased, the minister also said.

Claiming that the government is sincere in the treatment of arsenic patients, the health minister said that the government is ensuring the distribution of multivitamin drugs, vitamin A capsules, anti-oxidants, salicylate cream, and other cheap treatments in all government hospitals of the country.