Four children dies of water-borne disease in Kutch

Kutch : Tragedy struck Moti Rohatad village in Kutch’s Bhuj Taluka as four children succumbed to a water-borne illness, sparking fear and urgency among its residents. The incident has prompted local authorities to take swift action amid concerns over the health crisis.

Over the past week, the tight-knit community of Moti Rohatad village has been gripped by sorrow and alarm following the untimely deaths of four children due to a suspected water-borne disease. The victims, identified as Saybha Karim Sama, Jasminbai Rasid Sama, Siddiq Sama, and Wasim Abdul Karim Sama, exhibited symptoms including fever, diarrhoea, and vomiting before their conditions rapidly deteriorated.

Local sources indicate that the village sarpanch, Jumabhai A Sama, has formally raised the alarm, lodging a complaint with the Health Commissioner for urgent intervention. Currently, seven others, including children, are undergoing treatment at G K General Hospital, highlighting the severity of the outbreak.

Authorities from the district health department swiftly responded by dispatching a team to Moti Rohatad. Their efforts include comprehensive inspections of households and the chlorination of water sources to curb further spread of the illness. Nikunj Parikh, the in-charge District Development Officer (DDO), confirmed that water samples have been collected and sent for testing to pinpoint the exact cause of contamination.

Village leaders have drawn attention to the nearby Bandhi Dam, expressing concerns over its role in potentially contaminating local water supplies. Previous complaints about dead aquatic animals and livestock carcasses in the dam had reportedly gone unaddressed, exacerbating community anxieties.

Complicating matters further is the reported lack of nighttime medical services at the Khavda Community Health Centre (CHC), which has led to delays in treatment. In response, the gram panchayat has urgently petitioned the Health Commissioner for immediate measures, including the deployment of medical teams and ensuring round-the-clock availability of doctors at key health facilities.

As Moti Rohatad village mourns its young victims and grapples with the ongoing health crisis, the collective efforts of local authorities, health officials, and community leaders are focused on containing the outbreak and preventing additional casualties.