Hospital superintendent Dr M H Makwana said that because of the fixation of the formaldehyde cells to tissues which is an irreversible process, dialysis may prove helpful for only a few patients. “Out of the eight patients brought here last night, one died within 30 minutes of his arrival,” he added.

Explaining the reason behind the large number of deaths, Dr HP Balodia, Dean of the Medical Faculty at the BJ Medical College, said that when methyl alcohol is consumed and the process of metabolism starts, the liver processes it into formaldehyde, which is poisonous in nature.

“The process takes about three hours, which is why if appropriate treatment is given in time, the patient can survive. Ethanol prevents the digestion of methanol by the liver and is excreted without metabolism. A five-per cent ethanol intravenous injection along with respiratory support and system management, if any system is affected, can save life. But in this case, patients are coming after 24 hours or more, which has reduced the survival chances drastically,” Dr Balodia added.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Jay Narayan Vyas has confirmed free treatment for the victims. State Commissioner of Health Dr Amarjeet Singh said the three basic fears were kidney failure, liver failure and loss of eyesight, which they

were trying to address at the earliest.

“We have shifted critical patients (20) to the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) to detoxify the kidney and all the patients are reported to be doing well at present. Two medical teams from ophthalmology institutes have checked all the patients. In serious cases, certain injections, which are basically steroids to strengthen the eyes, have been administered free of cost,” he said, adding that the postmortem process for the deceased has been expedited.

The number of patients admitted to the Shardaben Hospital alone has reached 130. Shardaben Hospital has recorded 45 deaths, VS hospital 15 and LG hospital four.

Probe commission visits L G Hospital

The four-member inquiry commission headed by former Gujarat High Court judge Kamal Mehta today visited the L G Hospital, where several victims of the hooch tragedy are undergoing treatment. Commission members met the victims and doctors. Set up by the state government on Wednesday, the commission has been directed to submit its report by November 30.