Contradiction surfaces in diarrhoea count

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 9

Contradiction was witnessed between diarrhoea count issued by the UT Health Department and the sarpanch of Dhanas village.

While the Health Department maintained that 90 cases were reported yesterday, 35 patients visited for follow-up treatment and only two fresh cases were reported today. On the other hand, village sarpanch Kuljit Sandhu said the count had reached 150 as many residents were still visiting private doctors.

In the morning, the team of UT engineering wing inspected the tube well No. 15 in Dhanas village from where the alleged contaminated water was being supplied.

Further, Health Department teams also conducted a house-to-house survey and collected waters samples.

In the meantime, the team of Municipal Corporation also visited Milk Colony and Housing Board Colony and collected water samples from the area. A majority of people visited the ambulance for treatment were from the Peera Wala Chowk Area.

“All residents had symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting and loose stools. They have been diagnosed and given medicine accordingly,” said Dr Nikil of the UT Heath Department.

Kuljit Sandhu, sarpanch of Dhanas village, said for past 10 days they were complaining about the issue of contaminated water which leads to the spreading of diarrhoea.

“But no one payed heed to our repeated complaints. Today, after the news appeared in these columns, the authorities suddenly woke up from their slumber and swung into action. The problem would not have escalated to such an extent if the authorities would have taken timely action,” said Sandhu.

Deepak Uniyal, another resident of the village said clean and chlorinated water was supplied today. The broken lid of tube well from where the water was being supplied to the village was also fixed.

In pursuance to yesterday’s event at Dhanas village, the Health Department today again reached the spot and took review of the situation.

A House-to-house survey was also conducted. Megaphone announcements were made to make residents aware about preventive steps to be taken in case of vomiting and diarrhoea. The suspected cases of diarrhoea were referred to the stationed team having ambulance services and all medical facilities, including medicines.