City team in Bhuj to tackle epidemics

City team in Bhuj to tackle epidemics
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

FEBRUARY 1: Teams of doctors are being sent to Bhuj to tackle the cases of cholera and gastroenteritis that have broken out. A drive is on to immunise the survivors and provide them with medicines.

A senior doctor at KEM Hospital said a team from the department of preventive and social medicine has been sent to Bhuj. ``Epidemics tend to break out after such disasters because basic civic amenities of clean drinking water, proper sanitation and proper garbage disposal has been badly disrupted,'' he said. Apart from the two teams that are already functioning in the quake-affected area, the hospital is sending another team of doctors and paramedical staff so that the survivors can be immunised against typhoid, cholera and hepatitis, he said.

According to Dr Alka Deshpande, professor and head of medicine department, JJ Hospital, the bodies trapped under the debris start decaying causing the spread of epidmics. Survivors had to be innoculated against cholera, jaundice and typhoid, she said. Besides, a large number of tetanus injections had been sent for patients with fractures and injuries.

Recalling his experience at Bhuj, Dr Anil Suchak, medical director, Suchak Hospital, said there were few arrangements to provide clean drinking water and food to the survivors, who were growing desperat. Garbage had not been cleared.

On their part, they were sending a team of doctors with anti-inflamatory drugs , antibiotics and antipyretics.Meanwhile, the number of survivors coming to Mumbai for treatment has crossed 250 and they have been sent to various public and private hospitals in the city.

Died aboard aircraft
In an unfortunate incident, a 25-year-old survivor from Bhuj died in transit while he was being flown in today morning. Sources said Mohammed Yusuf Hinguraja had suffered multiple injuries while he was trapped under the debris, and was rescued after several hours. He was first taken to a local medical camp at Bhuj, and referred to Mumbai for specialised care. He was put on an aircraft today but died in flight. The cause of death was listed as `head injury with polytrauma.'