Vij seeks report on diarrhoea in Panipat

editorial@tribune.com

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Panipat, July 30

Taking note of the death of children of diarrhoea in Batra Colony here, Health Minister Anil Vij has sought a report from the health authorities and directed them to take measures to control the spread of the disease.

Sources said Vij had asked about the reasons behind the outbreak of the disease.

Civil Surgeon Inderjeet Dhankar said: “The reports asked by Vij have been submitted to him.”

The Health Department said two deaths had been reported due to diarrhoea in the city, while 11 patients were under treatment in the Civil Hospital. People, however, claimed five persons died of the disease.

Meanwhile, Cabinet Minister Krishan Lal Panwar and Panipat rural MLA Mahipal Dhanda today visited the colony. They directed officials to help people out. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sameer Pal Srow met officials, directing them to be serious about the issue.

The DC told the media the administration had cleaned the drains and cleanliness drive was underway in full swing.

“Dirty water is responsible for the outbreak. People should take precaution while drinking water,” Dhankar said.

The Civil Surgeon further said the department had been maintaining a vigil on other colonies. “Health officials have distributed 66,000 tablets of chlorine and ORS packets to people in the vicinity of Batra Colony.”

Residents alleged the administration had been doing a face-saving work.