Diarrhoea cases on rise; 91 admitted to hospitals

Bhilai, Nov 24: After the outbreak of diarrhoea in the Camp area of the city, the number of patients admitted to the hospitals has increased to 91 on Thursday. The health officials informed that 91 were hospitalized after being affected with diarrhoea. Over 81 people reached OPDs of government hospitals with complaints of vomiting and loose motions. On consultation with doctors, they are taking medicines at home. On the other hand, many others sought treatment at the OPDs of private hospitals and clinics. The exact number of affected people was not available till the filing of this report. The health department is closely monitoring the health of patients. Arrangements of referrals to higher medical institutes have also been made.

According to information, the cause of the diarrhoea outbreak is the supply of contaminated water from the taps. The locals who have been using bore well water are safe. Some people complained that earthworms and insects are also coming with the tap water. Civic authorities are trying to explore the sources of tap water contamination. The network of water supply pipelines is damaged at several spots from where the tap water is getting mixed with sewer and nullah water. The illegal cattle byres are also being considered as the source of water contamination. Bhilai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Rohit Vyas inspected the affected localities and also visited the hospitals to meet the patients. Water is being supplied through Tankers in the affected localities.

As on Thursday, 14 patients are admitted at Urban Primary Health centre, Baikunthdham; 28 at Supela Government Hospital; Eight at JLNH Sector 9; Seven at Bhilai Nursing Home; 16 at District Hospital; 05 at Ambe Hospital Power House; and 13 patients are admitted at BM Shah Hospital. The Health Team surveyed hundreds of houses on Thursday also. People were asked to use boiled water and maintain sanitation. Chlorine tablets were also distributed.

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BJP leaders meet victims; condemn BMC for poor civic amenities

Leaders of Bharatiya Janata Party inspected the affected areas and also visited the hospitals to meet the patients. Shri Ram Janmotsava Samiti Youth Wing President Manish Pandey visited the hospitals and met the patients. He asked the doctors to provide best treatment to the affected people. He also visited the residences of Late Kush Daharia and Late M Madhvi, who succumbed to diarrhoea.

Vaishali Nagar MLA Vidyaratan Bhasin, BJP leader Sharda Gupta and others also visited the hospitals to meet the patients. They accused the Bhilai Municipal Corporation for poor civic amenities. They alleged that the BMC failed in ensuring clean water supply which resulted in outbreak of diarrhoea. Sharda Gupta asserted that the BMC officials were responsible for this situation.