Congress doubts Ahmedabad civic body daily health report

Congress raised serious concerns over the daily health report published by health department of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). The opposition on Thursday claimed that two female patients died due to jaundice in Vadilal Sarabhai (VS) Hospital since June 1, 2011. However, the daily health report does not mention any death due to jaundice.

Hasankhan Pathan, Congress corporator from Dariapur accused health department of neglecting cases of jaundice reported. He said that two female patients suffering from jaundice from his area were admitted to VS Hospital since June 1 and they died later.

"Zarina Shaikh who was six months pregnant died of jaundice in VS Hospital a few days ago," said Pathan. He also said that another lady from Dadamiyan Ni Gali in Popatiavad of Dariapur also succumbed to the disease in the hospital. When contacted by DNA, IK Patel, deputy municipal commissioner of health department confirmed Zarina Shaikh's death on June 4, 2011. "However, the hospital hasn't provided any information (to the department) regarding her death," said Patel.

Meanwhile, Bhupendra Patel, Chairman of AMC's standing committee expressed concern over the spread of jaundice in the city. He asked the engineering department to survey water pipelines supplying drinking water to the city and repair any leakage that may be present.   A total of 3607 cases of jaundice have been registered in the city since January 2011, of which 1608 were indoor patients while 1927 were outdoor patients.