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HYDERABAD, June 15: Gastroenteritis claimed lives of an elderly woman on Tuesday and of a child on Sunday, bringing the death toll from diseases caused by consumption of contaminated water of the Indus river to 40.
Medical officer Dr Shams Shoro confirmed the death of 80-year- old Jaamal, wife of Illahi Bux, a resident of Khursheed Colony, Kotri, at the Kotri Taluka Hospital.
One-year-old Laxmi, daughter of Sitaro, a resident of Gharibabad, died of gastroenteritis at the Bhitai Hospital here on Sunday. Thousands of gastroenteritis patients have been reported to different government hospitals and private clinics since May 15 after they consumed contaminated water.
NOTICES: The district and sessions judge, Zaheeruddin S. Leghari, on Tuesday issued a notice to police on pre-arrest bail applications, filed by former Sukkur Barrage chief engineer Ghulam Nabi Mughal and former health EDO Agha Tariq, for June 17.
Under directives of the Sindh chief secretary, the Market police had registered a case on June 3 against officials of the HDA, Wasa, EDO, health, and the Sukkur Barrage chief engineer.
The case had been registered in the wake of release of contaminated water of the Manchhar Lake through the Aral Wah into the River Indus which had led to deaths of many people.
ADDS PPI: The Sindh High Court in Karachi on Monday granted Rs100,000 protective bail to suspended EDO, health, Hyderabad, in a criminal negligence case pertaining to death of many people due to consumption of contaminated water.
However, the court ordered the applicant, Dr Agha Tariq Pathan, to surrender before the trial court within three days. The applicant was booked under section 316, 270 and 166 of the PPC by the Market police of Hyderabad on June 4 for failing to take emergency measures in the government hospitals and provide medical cover to the victims.
