The statistics for waterborne diseases in the city raises serious doubt about the well being of the city and its people.
Even as Ahmedabad celebrates another World Health Day on Tuesday, the statistics for waterborne diseases in the city raises serious doubt about the well being of the city and its people. The city registered 1026 cases of diarrhoea, 325 cases of jaundice and 151 cases of typhoid during the months January, February and March.
On Monday, AMC health officials registered around 16 cases of dehydration (caused by diarrhoea and vomiting), 5 cases of typhoid and a suspected case of Hepatitis B in VS Hospital. Interestingly, despite the AMC’s efforts to keep a check on quality of water and food being sold at various places, including roadside laaris, the city registered the highest number of water borne diseases in the month of March.
Around 476 cases of diarrhoea (which often leads to dehydration), 132 cases of jaundice and 63 cases of typhoid were registered for the month.
Chief health officer in the AMC, SP Kulkarni said that for a population of 55 lakh, 15 cases of diarrhoea per day is not a very serious situation.
“The AMC has also been keeping a tab on the quality of water, food and cold drinks being sold at road side laaris,” he said.
“We have also inspected mineral water plants as part of our effort to keep a check on quality of water in the city. A special team has been formed to inspect food and drink being sold by road side vendors,” said Kulkarni.
Interestingly, the health department has not come across any case of contaminated food or water being used by road side vendors.
The AMC has also started a door-to-door survey to help control mosquito breeding and spread of malaria. Professor of IIM-A, Dileep Mavalankar who has done substantial work in the health sector said that the AMC was investing more in projects like BRTS while neglecting sanitation in the city. “Pipes carrying water are often broken and the work of testing water samples and chlorination of water is not don adequately,” said Mavalankar.
“Food hygiene is in bad shape. There is also the problem of unhygienic public toilets, overflowing gutters and poor sanitation.”
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