------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Minister passes buck on PWD: spread of jaundice ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Health Minister, Dr Suresh Amonkar said that the number of jaundice patients in the state has gone up to 281, as 15 more patients were admitted in the hospitals in the state, today, including 8 in the Goa Medical College (GMC) Hospital.
"The Hepatitis-E infections, however are under control", he observed, adding, "if the infections had taken the epidemic form then the number of patients would have gone up in geometric progression".
The Health Minister, speaking to the pressmen, said that the Public Health Engineering (PHE) unit of Public Works Department (PWD) was to be blamed for the localised Hepatitis-E infections that had taken place through the eateries situated in the central part of the city.
"The PHE unit had detected the flaws in the water pipelines supplying water to these hotels and restaurants, as early as July 11, however it did not inform the health authorities about the same", Dr Amonkar added. He also said that the health authorities came to know about the water contamination only on August 14. If the message was passed to the health authorities in time adequate steps would have prevented the localised jaundice infections witnessed by the city, the Health Minister observed.
He also said that the lab technicians of the unit should have taken initiative to brief their superiors about the contamination level of water supplied to the said hotels. Dr Amonkar mentioned that due action would be taken on those found guilty for this fault.
The government health agencies have also undertaken check-ups of the family members of patients infected with jaundice, the Health Minister said. "In most of the cases, the family members were not found to be infected with this disease, thus proving the point that the water supplied to their households was not contaminated", he concluded.They should however protect themselves from jaundice infections through faeco-oral route, he added.
Speaking further, Dr Amonkar mentioned that the patients falling victim to the liver cirrhosis was a great cause for concern for the state health authorities. "In fact, the period from January to December 2002 saw 381 patients being admitted to the GMC hospital alone, out of which 182 died, making it one death every alternate day of the year", he informed.
He also said that the steps to bring the deaths resulting out of liver cirrhosis under control will be taken on priority by the government.
Dr Amonkar also stated that a number of cases pertaining to conjunctivitis (sore eyes) were observed in the state and the health agencies were taking necessary precautions to control the illness. ------------------------------------------------ The Navhind Times 28/8/03 page 3 ---------------------------------------------- ======================================= GOA DESC RESOURCE CENTRE Documentation + Education + Solidarity 11 Liberty Apts., Feira Alta, Mapusa, Goa 403 507 Tel: 2252660 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] website: www.goadesc.org ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Working On Issues Of Development & Democracy =======================================
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