Impure water makes 150 ill near Surat

The Indian Express team visited the village late on Saturday evening and found that that more than a hundred and fifty cases were being treated at the District panchayat primary School in Bhesan which has a population of more than 2000. More than 50 patients were taken to private clinic in Surat.

Medication and other facilities were rushed to he village along with a three Government Medical officers and two private practitioners, who are giving round the clock treatment to the patients.

Since late on Friday night when the first case of gastroenteritis was reported, a number of residents of the area began complaining of diarrhea, vomiting and acute abdominal pain. The number of cases suddenly increased on Saturday morning.Reacting quickly, the district administration rushed in a stock of medicines including DIV bottles of 100 grams each and other re-hydrating medicines and has converted the primary school at Bhesan into a make-shift hospital.The scene inside this `hospital’ however did not resemble one in a medication centre. The six persons undergoing treatment were not provided with bed or other facilities. Strings tied on the roof were used as stands for dextrose bottles.

Medical Health officer attending the patients at Bhesan Dr Reshma Parikh said that the number of patients approaching for treatment was steadily increasing since Sunday morning.