May 22, 2006	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 23, 1427

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FAISALABAD, May 21: As many as three more people including two girls died of gastroenteritis here on Sunday while about 500 others suffering from the ailment were brought to various healthcare facilities from Ghulam Muhammadabad and its adjoining localities.

With the latest victims— Shazia (6), Sajida (8), Muhammad Khalid (23)— who died at the Allied Hospital, the death toll during the last four days has touched the double figure of 11.

Sources said the condition of three more children admitted to the General Hospital and one to the Allied Hospital was stated to be serious.

About 3,500 patients have so far been brought to various city hospitals and clinics out of which nine died during the last four days. A total 800 patients were brought to the Allied, 1,000 to the General and 200 to the DHQ hospitals.

Complaints of contaminated Wasa water supply have also been received from Qudaratabad, Iqbal Town and D-Block of the Ghulam Muhammadabad.

The affected people complained that neither any officer of the Punjab government nor any representative of the ruling PML had so far visited any of the city hospitals to inspect the arrangements for the patients.

The General Hospital, Ghulam Muhammadabad’s Medical Superintended Dr Khwaja Anees said the facility had a capacity of only 46 patients but at present 150 were being provided medical care at the facility. This had made it difficult for the administration to handle the influx and maintain hygienic conditions there, he added.

“We have called more beds from rural health centres of the district while 20 more medical officers have been called from various government-run hospital to provide emergency medical treatment to patients,” he said.

Meanwhile, area MPA Muhammad Nawaz Malik told Dawn that he had lodged nine written complaints with Wasa authorities about the mixing of sewage with the piped water but to no avail.