C(여 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র : অষ্টম খন্ড under the circumstances, but in both adults and children there are seen large numbers of skin infections, gastrointestinal disturbances with vomiting and diarrhoea, and chronic cough with upper respiratory infections. In the camp hospitals there are the ever present cases of cholera and other gastrointestinal diseases. The cholera problem Seems now to be under control. However, with the combination of increased rain from the monsoons, deficient health facilities plus the influx of new refugees, it is quite clear that there will be again an upswing in the incidence of cholera. Health care among the refugee population is rudimentary. Mobile units for mass inoculation programs and the distribution of a few simple medications are active within some of the camps. Fixed facilities in the terms of field-type tent hospitals have been opened up in or near other camps, but here again these units carry only about 20 to 30 inpatient beds (stretchers). All that can to offer some intravenous or oral fluid therapy for the gastrointestinal problems and cholera. Medical supplies are being received and distributed to these fixed facilities. However, due to the lack of coordination of the medical effort, many supplies are arriving which are not needed while others are in short supply. At the present time in terms of the general refugee population, the acute need in for material for shelter, particularly with the advent of the monsoon season. There is a need for better water supply, particularly wells with a deeper water table and with less chance of contamination. Properly designed sanitary facilities are mandatory. The diet at present would appear to be just about able to sustain the adults and children, but food is going into short supply again. A major problem is in the infant refugee population. There is no food or food supplement available to bottle-feed these children. Mother's milk is, of course, inadequate. A severe and critical shortage is therefore present in the powdered milkglucose supplement powders used for infant formulas. Without this being placed in immediate supply, there will conceivably be many more-neo-natal deaths due to malnutrition. The next few months will bring increased numbers of refugees and additional strain on the meagre existing supplies and facilities. Malnutrition and disease will become more prevalent. Relations between the refugees and the local villagers must deteriorate. The financial burden for the West Bengal and Central Indian government will be impossible to bear. Morale will sink to even lower levels as the situation becomes desperate. Food and medical supplies must come from outside sources. Distribution of these materials is possible but there must be more medical and paramedical personnel made available and mobilized. IV. The Refugee Physicians The refugee physicians who left East Pakistan maintained some liaison with other professionals and physicians within India. Very few of them are in the refugee camps, most being in and around Calcutta, living with families, friends and relatives. The East Pakistani medical establishment is the product of seven medical schools offering tWO
