BMC health dept seems unfazed even as four more deaths due to water-borne diseases were recorded in civic hospitals, bringing the toll to 18.
The BMC health department seems unfazed even as four more deaths due to water-borne diseases were recorded in civic hospitals on Friday. The toll in the last 12 days is 18.
In fact, additional municipal commissioner (health) Kishor Gajbhiye was caught napping when reporters inquired about the total number of monsoon-related deaths. “I only maintain a daily record,” he said. After much prodding, he said it was 18.
The segregation of the causes of death was made available only after the conference. Standing committee chairman Ravindra Waikar flayed the administration for “its indifferent attitude”.
“Gajbhiye must have up-to-date information,” he said. Defending himself, Gajbhiye said, “My department maintains record, but we publish daily figures only. The cumulative figures are misinterpreted many a times,” he said.
Among the four who fell prey in the last 24 hours, two died of fever, one of malaria and one of gastroenteritis. Fever deaths, included a 60-year-old man from Chunabhatti (Sion Hospital) and another 22-year-male from Santacruz (KEM).
The BYL Nair Hospital recorded a malaria death, while a 38-year-old man became a
gastro victim at KEM. Five have now died of fever in the last 48 hours, with four of them registered in KEM. Since July 2, 6 have died of fever, 6 of malaria, 3 lepto, 2 dengue and 1 of gastroenteritis.
The number of cases was also on the increase. At least 434 new cases were registered in the last 24 hours as against 392 on Thursday. Gajbhiye said the rising deaths due to fever cases had the administration “concerned”.
“Firstly, these patients were brought to the hospital in a critical condition. Secondly, they died due to complications arising out of fever, like acute renal failure or acute respiratory distress syndrome,” said executive health officer Jairaj Thanekar.
Gajbhiye, however, said, “The number of deaths and cases are lesser than previous years and things were under control.”
“Whether the person survives depends on what time the person is brought to the hospital, his immunity level and the virulence of the organism,” said Yeolekar, dean, KEM Hospital.
Neera Kewalramani, deputy executive health officer, said 54 cases were reported from private hospitals, including 36 malaria, 14 dengue and four leptospirosis. Reacting to reports of 10 suspected cases of cholera from Wadala and Antop Hill, Gajbhiye said, “It was early to dub them cholera cases.”
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