SAHIWAL, June 23: Three women and a youth died of gastroenteritis in the last two days in Goriya and Farid Shah villages, Arifwala tehsil.

Reports say that residents of these villages have been complaining about stomach pain to local nazims, but they have never taken it seriously. Located under the shadow of Arifwala, both villages have no Basic Health Unit.

Those died were identified as Meena Bibi, 30, Nazira

Bibi, 29, Kausar Bibi and

Kashif.

Ahmed Yar SHO Malik Hasnat said he informed Pakpattan EDO (Health) Muhammad Siddique about the situation who sent a team of doctors from Arifwala to both villages on Monday afternoon.

He said deputy district officer (health) Dr Muhammad Ashfaq along with Dr Asif

Jalees, two sanitary inspectors, technicians and some nurses who had set up a medical camp in Goriya village where they checked about 80 patients.

DDO Dr Ashfaq in his report sent to Pakpattan EDO (Health) Muhammad Siddique confirmed that gastroenteritis claimed the life of four people.

While sanitary inspectors also confirmed that the water in both villages was contaminated.