ISLAMABAD: As many as 3,000 people visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) with the complaints of food poisoning during the three days of Eidul Azha.

They were administered around 6,000 glucose drips. “Moreover, about 1,200 anti-tetanus injections were administered to those who came with injuries due to traffic accidents, doing wheelies, falling from swings and sustaining cuts while slaughtering sacrificial animals or cutting meat.

Some people also came with injuries from animal bites. Free of cost treatment and medicines were provided to them,” Pims’ media coordinator Dr Waseem Khawaja told Dawn.

Number of patients will increase further, doctor says

He said 200 people were brought to the hospital with their bones broken in accidents out of whom 20 would be operated upon next week.

Dr Khawaja, who is a gastroenterologist, said 40pc of the 3,000 patients were women. In the next few days, the number of patients will further increase because of the continuous use of meat, he said.

In reply to a question, he said majority of the patients were adults.

“During Eidul Fitr holidays, we get fewer patients but on the occasion of Eidul Azha the number increases because people don’t eat balanced diet and the portion of protein increases in their diet. A large number of patients also visited the hospital with complaints of high blood pressure,” he said.

Those who do not eat red meat because of blood pressure and diabetes also start eating red meat on the occasion of Eid because they get it free. People also face the problem of cholesterol because they eat meat of aged animals, he said.

“We suggest different medicines, including Flagyl, Novidate, Zantac, Gravinate and other antibiotics, to the patients.”

He said a person should not eat more than 70 grams of meat in a day because it creates different problems such as blood pressure, cholesterol etc.

On Eidul Azha, people start eating meat without the use of salad and vegetables and even stop eating bread. They prefer barbecues and then start vomiting and facing other stomach problems, he said.

Dr Khawaja said people should use lots of yogurt and fruits with meat.

“Some people use animal fats as oil which is unhygienic. Vegetable oil should be used for cooking. People should avoid eating all dishes made of meat. Excess of everything is injurious to health,” he said

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2018