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| July 1, 2005 | Friday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 23, 1426 |
Deaths not caused by polluted water: Amer
LAHORE, June 30: Two more victims of ‘water contamination’ that affected a large population of the Ravi Road area three days ago died on Thursday, raising the toll to nine. Elderly Anwari Bibi and Hashmat Bibi reportedly died in Kasurpura and Chah Jumanwala, respectively, in their houses. The health department and the City District Government Lahore which differed on the cause of the death, however, joined their voice in claiming that the toll was seven — one death at Mayo Hospital and six within affected localities of Kasurpura, Marzipura and Shafiqabad.
Of the nine deaths, three were reported from one family.
The CDG health department had sent water and stool samples for laboratory examination to the Institute of Public Health, Lahore. Contrary to EDO (Health) Dr Abdul Qayyum’s claim, samples’ clinincal analysis could not be made public on Thursday.
Dr Qayyum said the IPH epidemiologist would finalize his report on Friday. He said the epidemiologist had also visited the affected areas and collected water and stool samples independently.
District Nazim Mian Amer, meanwhile, said there was no evidence of death due to water contamination, rejecting the claim of the provincial health authorities and residents.
Talking to Dawn on Thursday evening, he said he had spent the entire day in the area. The city district government had dispatched tankers for distribution of water among residents.
A number of relief camps had also been set up where free ORS was distributed among the people. Nearly 1,200 people had visited the hospitals and medical camps in the area and left after receiving treatment.
The nazim said the CDG had started replacement of the old water supply and sewerage pipes in the area. The provincial government had also provided funds for sinking two new tubewells, he said.
Meanwhile, District Coordination Officer Khalid Sultan held a meeting with the EDOs of health, works and district officer (revenue) to review the situation. He asked the Wasa managing director to ensure chlorination of potable water. He said proper epidemiological study of the area should be carried out to identify the source of infection.scholarship cheques: The Staff Welfare Organization has dispatched scholarship cheques for Rs10 million to the children of 12,933 serving, retired and deceased employees in Punjab.
The federal government pays scholarships, ranging from Rs600 to Rs2,000, on an annual basis. Children memorizing the Holy Quran are also paid scholarships by the organization. As many as 98 children have been paid Rs446,000 scholarships on this account.
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