YSRCP cries foul over official apathy

Guntur: Another three persons died of diarrhea- S Nukaraju (63) and Gangabhavani (62) died at the Government General Hospital (GGH) on Wednesday midnight-while Kurraiah died on Thursday at GGH. 

Death toll due to diarrhoea rose to 13 during the last two weeks. Patients Gangabhavani and Nukaraju were suffering from diarrhoea and were shifted to Dr Ramesh Hospital for better treatment. Later, they were shifted to the GGH and died on Wednesday mid-night Meanwhile, they number of diarrhoea cases are on rise in the GGH.

As many as 50 patients admitted to the GGH special wards since Wednesday night and 80 patients were undergoing treatment at the GGH. Over 500 patients are undergoing treatment in various private hospitals in the district.

The government had failed to check diarrhoea deaths even after two weeks in the city. The doctors at the GGH are maintaining secrecy and following instructions of the higher officials as they are not furnishing information to the media, According to reliable sources.

GGH superintendent Dr DS Raju Naidu said: "Kurraiah has kidney problem. We referred his case to the committee to find out  the reasons for  his death." 

Meanwhile, the Guntur Municipal Corporation chlorinated the drinking water and released the water at One Town area and shifting the pipelines passing through the drainages in the city. They are collecting water samples and sending them to the lab. The YSRCP leaders staged a dharna at the Guntur Municipal Corporation demanding inquiry into deaths caused by diarrhoea.  

Addressing YSRCP city president Lella Appi Reddy criticised that though 13 persons died of diarrhoea in the city,  the government  did not set up any committee to conduct a probe into circumstances that led to diarrhoea and added that the government had failed to check diarrhoea cases during  the past two weeks.  

He was surprised why Guntur district in-charge minister, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Minister for  Municipal Administration P Narayana did not paid a visit to the city to console the kin of  the deceased. 

He demanded Rs 10 lakhs compensation to the kin of the deceased.  MLA Mustafa said the government was neglecting the GMC for the past four years and changed five Commissioners, he reminded. YSRCP leaders Rasul, T Srinu, Ambedkar, P Krishna were among those present.