Contaminated ice: Over 50 gastro patients admitted at hospitals

Locals say it’s govt’s responsibility to provide potable water.

MINGORA: More than 50 gastroenteritis patients, including minors, were rushed to different government and private hospitals in Swat on Friday.

Dr Mian Gul Alam, in-charge of the casualty ward at Saidu Teaching Hospital, said more than 24 patients suffering from gastroenteritis, including 15 minors, were brought to the hospital. He told The Express Tribune most patients develop gastro problems after consuming contaminated water. “These people use ice, that comes from glaciers in Kalam, which is impure, thereby causing them to fall sick,” he said.

Most patients coming to STH are from Mingora and its outskirts, the doctor said. However, the numbers in Charbagh, Matta, Khwazakhel, Babuzai, Shamozai and Kabal are much higher, he added.

Patients in distress

Patients pinned responsibility of providing clean drinking water on the government.

Muhammad Rahman, a resident of Malookabad, Mingora, told The Express Tribune he and members of his community, comprising 2,500 people, have complained multiple times to the government to provide them clean drinking water, but to no avail. “We know the water is contaminated. However, we have no choice but to consume the filthy water that we are getting.”

Nisarzada, a resident of Rang Mohallah, said the water supply and sewerage lines are broken, thereby mixing clean drinking water with sewerage water. “We cannot dig out pipes and change them on our own. We are ready to do it, but we need government help,” he said. The pipes need to be replaced at the earliest, Nisarzada added.

Kaki Khan, a resident of Tahirabad, said the heat, together with nearly 16 hours of daily load-shedding, is forcing people to rely on impure water and use the contaminated glacier ice as there is no other option available.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2015.