CPI(M) blames civic neglect for diarrhoea outbreak in Vijayawada’s Giripuram
A diarrhoea outbreak in Giripuram in Vijayawada has left several residents hospitalised over the past week, with some undergoing treatment in Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
A diarrhoea outbreak in Giripuram in Vijayawada has left several residents hospitalised over the past week, with some undergoing treatment in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). While a few patients have recovered from a critical condition, others continue to receive treatment. Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretariat member Ch. Babu Rao visited the affected locality on Friday, interacted with residents and enquired about the condition of patients admitted to various hospitals. Addressing the media later, Mr. Babu Rao criticised the State government, the Health Department, the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) and local public representatives, alleging negligence in preventing the outbreak.
He said Giripuram, predominantly inhabited by Dalit and economically weaker families, had long been plagued by inadequate civic infrastructure, with repeated complaints about unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation remaining unaddressed. Citing residents’ complaints, he attributed the outbreak to contaminated drinking water and poor sanitation. Despite repeated complaints and people suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea for nearly a week, the authorities failed to respond promptly, he alleged. Referring to earlier outbreaks of diarrhoea and gastroenteritis in Moghalrajpuram and New Rajarajeswari Peta, Mr. Babu Rao claimed they had resulted in more than 15 deaths and hundreds of hospitalisations over the past two years.
He alleged that the authorities had neither identified the causes nor implemented preventive measures. He demanded an emergency sanitation drive, uninterrupted supply of safe drinking water, reimbursement of treatment expenses incurred by patients admitted to private hospitals, and the establishment of a dedicated diarrhoea treatment unit in a government hospital. He also called for an inquiry into the recurring outbreaks, action against officials found negligent, and utilisation of Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan and other development funds to improve civic infrastructure in Giripuram and other Dalit colonies.
corporator Kaja Saroj and CPI(M) leaders Y. Subba Rao and K. Gurumurthy accompanied Mr. Babu Rao during the visit, according to a press release.
The BriefWire