Diarrhoea kills three, affects 50 in seven Barwani villages

Three persons died and more than 50 affected due to diarrhoea across six villages near Khetiya in Barwani district, with the administration stating consumption of rainwater from a canal as the reason behind one of the deaths.

Three persons died and more than 50 affected due to diarrhoea across six villages near Khetiya in Barwani district, with the administration stating consumption of rainwater from a canal as the reason behind one of the deaths.

Health officials did not report about diarrhoea spreading in the villages to their higher authorities. (HT file photo)

Collector Tejaswi Naik told HT that victim Khodi Bai, 35, from Neel Bawdi died at the district hospital on Monday and around 40 have been admitted in government hospital of Khetiya.

“A 28-year-old woman named Shakanta from Khoda Mohali died on the way to hospital. The reason behind the death of a 15-year-old boy is still to be confirmed,” said Naik.

The collector said people have been consuming water from the canal that flows through the affected villages since three days after it rained.

Health department officials did not report the matter to their higher authorities earlier. Moreover, the tehsildar of the region has been absent from work for two days without informing Naik.

“Two medical teams have been dispatched from Barwani on Monday evening. The zila panchayat CEO and the Pansemal sub-divisional magistrate has been told to monitor the situation.

Meanwhile two patients ofthe Khetiya PHC have escaped. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 10,000 to families of the deceased.

The collector said action will be taken against erring health officials for dereliction of duty by informing the matter late.