Epidemic threat looms large, say doctors

The heavy rains in the city have not only spelt disaster for the businessmen but has also widened the threat of water borne diseases, mainly in the low lying areas like Bapunagar, Asarva, Gomatipur and others.

Gutters in these areas are open and overflowing and the pavements are covered with mounts of dirt piled up. Food stock in most houses is damp and now unconsumable, water supply is erratic and the locals of these areas are in constant fear of an epidemic breaking out. Dr Ahmed Kazi, a private practitioner, in Bapunagar who has been treating locals for several years fears that if the municipal corporation does not start cleaning operations soon apart from conducting health check-ups, diseases like cholera, diarrhoea and gastroenteritis will start taking its toll in a week’s time.

He said, "I have already given primary treatment to over 10 patients from this locality itself besides several others suffering from fever and diarrhoea from neighbouring areas. During each monsoon, there have been fatal and near fatal cases of typhoid, cholera and gastroenteritis and seeing the condition around it is apparent that the threat of epidemic looms large over the city."

Dr Kazi added, "Till now no AMC health team has even visited our area to distribute medicines or spray disinfectant. If they do not visit low lying areas soon, diseases will spread fast."

Dr Anil Chadda, a surgeon and superintendent of the Civil Hospital said, "Epidemics in the city is a thing of the past and the threat is not that big. In fact because of the rains, the number of cases have reduced. Our city hospitals have encountered such conditions even before also but in any case the Civil Hospital is prepared to treat any case of water borne diseases round the clock."

Shardaben Hospital, which was not in a position to even admit patients because of severe water logging, commenced its work from Tuesday. Dr A.D. Dave, the superintendent of the hospital said, ‘Theoretically an epidemic is expected due to immense water logging and mixing of sewage and water pipes in low lying areas. Out of the 750 patients in the OPD on Tuesday, not a single case is related with any water borne disease.

In any case the hospital is completely equipped with doctors, medicines, oxygen, beds and all necessities."

Dr P.K. Makwana, the head of the health department of the AMC said, "The AMC health team comprising 51 doctors and 111 paramedical workers are busy collecting 2,000 samples of drinking water for testing from 43 wards of the city every day. Also, we are distributing chlorine tablets free in about 300 houses daily.

The AMC is also spraying disinfectant in all places where dirt or water has been accumulated.

This drive will go on for the next 10 days at least."

Republished from Asian Age