PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Nainital
Taking a serious note of the surging cases of waterborne diseases across Jeolikote under Bhimtal block of Nainital district, the health department has initiated extensive monitoring. Calling the situation a public health emergency, the chief medical officer, Nainital, Dr Rashmi Pant directed health department teams to actively provide services to the afflicted people.
Eight of the 12 villages under Jeolikote Nyay Panchayat limits have been reported affected, and they are Belwakhan, Bhalyuti, Sadiyatal, Chheda Ganja, Chopra, Krishnapur and Gethiya. Besides, patients with waterborne diseases have been reported from Veerbhatti area, too.
Dr Pant directed ASHA workers to go door-to-door to search for active cases. “The health status of all members of each family will be surveyed. Anyone showing symptoms of fever, vomiting or diarrhoea will be immediately referred to the nearest PHC or the district hospital for medical examination. The 108 service will also be actively involved to transport seriously ill patients to the hospital. Health teams will distribute ORS and zinc supplements door-to-door. Additionally, people will be educated about drinking boiled water, consuming safe foods, washing hands and maintaining hygiene around the area,” Dr Pant added.
With things remaining serious, five to six patients are being admitted to BD Pandey District Hospital every day.
The hospital sources said that the outbreak of jaundice, diarrhea, and other waterborne diseases shows no signs of abating. “This is beginning to impact the facilities at the hospital. Five to six patients are being admitted daily with waterborne illnesses. Since August 15, more than 110 patients have been admitted,” stated a senior physician at the hospital, Dr M S Dugtal.
He further said that along with treating patients, information about the area is also being maintained. “This is important as a large number of patients are arriving from one area,” he said.
Meanwhile, the outbreak of waterborne diseases, including jaundice and diarrhea, has left the villagers in the Jeolikote area deeply concerned. Describing the situation as serious, the block head of Bhimtal Panchayat, Harish Singh Bisht said he had written to the district magistrate, demanding that affected villagers receive treatment and medicines at government and private hospitals, free of charge or at least a 50 per cent discount.
“The waterborne diseases are spreading fast in Jeolikote and surrounding areas, and the situation is becoming a public health emergency. Three to four members of a single family are being hospitalised. The rise in illness has forced many villagers to turn to private hospitals, where the expensive treatment and medicines are proving prohibitive,” he said.
In the letter, he drew the DM’s attention to the people’s grievances over departmental negligence in the drinking water system. He demanded that the DM should order the affected patients to be provided free or 50 per cent discounted treatment and medicines at both government and private hospitals. “If this is ensured, economically disadvantaged families can receive immediate relief during this health crisis,” he added.
