Doctors at hospital attributed the spread of cholera and diarrhea infection in Kathmandu to contaminated water. [break]
The hospital record showed that cholera had been seen in the patients in Teku, Tanchal, Kalimati Swayambhu, Bhimsenthan, Baneshwor and of Rabibhawan.
“Most of the patients who came to the hospital said that they had drunk water supplied by Kathmandu Upatyaka Kahanepani Limited without boiling or treatment,” Tulsha Adhikari, a nursing staff at Gastro ward said. She said whole families had been infected and some were brought to the hospital by their neighbors as all family members were sick.
Patients being treated at Sukraraj Tropical Hospital Teku. (Photo: Bijay Rai)
The hospital said diarrhea patients have been thronging the hospital for the past one month. Following increase in the number of diarrhea patients, the hospital has started separate gastro ward for this monsoon season. Assistant health worker at the hospital, Shankar Pandey said that eight diarrhea patients were admitted in just two hours on Friday morning. Among them condition of one of the patient is serious.
“The patient was unconscious and blood pressure and pulses level were very low,” he said. The hospital said about 10 to 20 diarrhea patients come to the hospital each day.
Doctors said that people of capital are at risk of the disease as drinking water is not so safe in capital.
There have been increasing concerns following the rise in diarrhea patients and detection of cholera in Kathmandu. The KUKL, which is responsible for distributing "safe drinking water" in capital, said that people should take precaution before drinking water.
“Before sending water to public taps we treat it properly. But when the water enters in the distribution network it might be contaminated with sewage,” Kiran Amatya, General Manager at KUKL, said.
He concedes that there are problems in some of its treatment centers and the KUKL was distributing water without treatment from some sources.
“Better to drink water after making sure that it is pure, but that does not mean our water is problematic, “he said adding, “Despite our utmost efforts, water might be contaminated after it enters the distribution line,” he said.
He claimed that the office itself is controlling water quality and quality of water is analyzed in its laboratory every alternative day.
Doctors at hospital have asked Kathmanduties to boil the water before drinking and maintain personal hygiene. They have also asked people to wash their hands before eating.
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