Over 38 fresh cases of diarrhoea have been registered at the Bhagirathpura Primary Health Centre in Indore, linked to the water contamination of the Municipality pipeline. A senior official further confirmed that the death toll rose to 7.
Officials further reported that 110 people are undergoing treatment, while six have been referred for treatment. 15 patients are currently in the ICU. Divisional commissioner of Indore, Sudam Khade, talking to the PTI, confirmed that the death toll had risen to seven on Tuesday, 6th January. Until yesterday, six fatalities have been officially confirmed, while locals stated that 17 people have died due to drinking contaminated water.
The health department conducted a real-time house survey on 5th January, using the Kobo tool to ensure chlorinated water for drinking purposes to all residents in the affected area. The Kobo tool training has been given by the Central government’s regional health Director, Dr Chanrashekar Gedam, in coordination with the district administration. As per officials, this tool gives a real-time reading of water contamination.
A team of 200, under the direction of Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr Madhav Prasad Hasani, was deployed in the area. They have visited pre-marked houses and conducted surveys. As per the official statement released by the authorities, ORS packets, zinc tablets and clean water droppers were also distributed to each household.
A team of health workers are also involved in raising awareness in schools and through helpline numbers. The reason behind doing the drive is to ensure chlorinated drinking water to the residents, after a massive governance flaw caused a civic tragedy in the city, until now claimed as India’s cleanest.
The district administration has also deployed five ambulances to the area, with doctors available for regular checks. The referred patients are being taken to the Aurobindo and M.Y. hospital, while children are sent to Chacha Nehru hospital.
