50 GAIMS medicos hospitalized after allegedly consuming Contaminated water
Bhuj: More than 50 students at the Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences (GAIMS), Bhuj have been hospitalized with flu-like symptoms over the past two days with the students complaining that they fell sick after allegedly drinking contaminated water from their hostel.
The medicos were rushed to the hospitals with flu-like symptoms and the matter came to light after the medicos posted videos of the polluted water and the hospitalized medicos.
The medicos claimed that the water supplied in the hostel is not edible and is extremely polluted. On Saturday, a Twitter handle by the name GAIMS Student Officials tweeted videos and images of muddy and discoloured water running from taps. Another tweet purportedly showed students in the hospital that said, "more than 50 students are on medication… need immediate attention to this problem".
Demanding action to resolve the water crisis issue, the medicos on 16th July 2021 stood against the college admin and went on a strike demanding proper water supply of the hostel.
In a series of tweets, the GAIMS students pointed out, "The water which we get at our hostel is not clean and is extremely polluted with small particles of dust. Even after repeated trials of filtration and complaints, this problem is not being solved. We even mentioned it to the staff, mentors, and representatives but they couldn't come up with an effective solution. This is the water which we use for drinking and all other chores, hence, we cannot accept the quality of water which is being served."
The students have also posted photos of contaminated water, which it claimed was being supplied in the hostel as well as a video showing students at the GK General Hospital. Addressing their current situation, the medicos also stated, " Such is the supply of water for 7 months. After having such a supply of water in the hostel more than 35 boys and more than 25 girls were infected and were hospitalized having sore throat, weakness, vomiting."
Another picture of rows of buckets being filled up by a tanker was tweeted with the caption: "Is it a slum area pic? This is a pic from Gujarat Adani Institute of Medical Sciences. I don't know whether we bring water the whole day like this or study our medical books. If Adani can't manage a medical college then why he opened a college. Students are getting more sick and sick (sic)." The photo posted on Sunday was widely shared on social media.
The Indian Express reports that Dr. Shardul Chaurashia, chief operating officer (COO), GAIMS, confirmed that almost 46 students had to be rushed to the hospital over the past two days and 20 of them have been discharged. "Their illness, prima facie, does not seem directly linked to water supply in the hostel as they don't have diarrhea or vomiting normally caused by consumption of contaminated water. However, we are doing further tests," said Dr. Chaurashia. Dr. AN Ghosh, dean of GAIMS, told the daily, "Most of them have a cold, cough and sore throat, possibly due to the change of weather. They are negative for Covid-19."
Addressing the issue of water problems which have been persistent since February this year, Chaurashia said, "The supply of Narmada water has been irregular and insufficient since February this year and the shortage became severe in June as more students came to the campus for offline classes. As a stopgap arrangement, we were supplying water from tubewells that have higher iron content. We requested the local municipality for more supply but apparently, the supply of Narmada water is limited. Hospital is our priority so supplies used to be diverted there. This created issues in the hostel."
Dr Chaurashia stated that as a temporary solution to the water problem, the administration has arranged water tankers to supply water to the students. "Every building has an RO plant for purifying drinking water. The issue is more with water for other daily use. We have decided to install a filtration plant which will become operational in 25 days… in the meantime, tankers will maintain supply," he said.
FORDA has also demanded action from the authorities and stated, "Due to poor supply water quality in hostels, students have to collect potable water from tankers. Many of them have fallen sick too! Authorities need to act urgently."
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