Three villages in Bavla taluka are in danger of facing an outbreak of typhoid caused by contaminated water.
Three villages in Bavla taluka are in danger of facing an outbreak of typhoid caused by contaminated water.
Most of those affected in Bhayla, Kerala and Kalyangadh villages are children and their parents as well as residents of neighbouring areas are in fear of an outbreak such as that of hepatitis-B in Modasa recently.
Many parents had lost hope of seeing their children recover, but their transfer to the Sola Civil hospital brought most out of danger. “I am thankful to the doctors who saved my child’s life. I have only one son, who is my motivation and reason to live. I do not know what would have happened to us if anything happened to him,” said Ambaram Chaudhry, a resident of Kerala village whose seven-year-old son, Haresh, is out of danger.
Haresh has been ill since six days and was shown to a private doctor. The doctors at the Bavla Community Health Centre (CHC) later decided to shift him, and all patients up to 16 years of age, to Sola Civil hospital.
Most patients from Bhayla village who were admitted into the hospital are out of danger and have similar tales to tell. However, a matter of concern for the doctors is that most are between three and 10 years of age, a hospital source said.
“We normally have facilities for 30 beds at our CHC. But, owing to the problem in the nearby villages, we have increased the strength to 45 for the time being. This is so that patients do not have to suffer and receive immediate treatment,” medical superintendent of Bavla CHC, Dr Jayesh Patel said.
However, as the CHC does not have a permanent paediatrician, officials have sought the help of a consulting paediatrician so that OPD patients can be treated immediately and do not have to rush to far-off places for treatment.
When DNA met villagers and parents at Sola Civil hospital and Bavla CHC, they agreed on the same point: they had no choice but to drink the contaminated water.
Gauri Solanki, a resident of Bhayla village, who was found filling a pot with the contaminated water, said, “We are bound to drink this water as it is the only source of drinking water here. We have bore wells, but they cannot be used as the salt content in the water is too high.” She said they boiled the water before drinking as a safety measure.
On the other hand, the civic body has claimed it will control the spread of the outbreak and officials are visiting homes personally. Those found serious are immediately being sent to the CHC or Sola Civil hospital.
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