Gujarat Typhoid Outbreak: NHRC Takes Action Amid Contaminated Water Concerns
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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken a suo motu cognisance of a significant surge in typhoid cases in Gujarat's Gandhinagar, with 70 confirmed cases attributed to contaminated drinking water. The commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat, calling for a detailed report within two weeks. According to reports, the typhoid outbreak is waterborne, with most patients showing symptoms like high fever and gastrointestinal problems. A 30-bed Pediatric Ward has been opened in the Gandhinagar Civil Hospital to handle the increasing number of cases, mostly affecting children. The Gujarat state health department has confirmed that the surge in typhoid patients has exposed serious flaws in the city's newly laid water supply system. Seven points of leaks have been identified in the water pipeline network, resulting in sewage mixing with the drinking water supply. In response to the outbreak, the government has launched door-to-door surveillance and emergency measures, deploying 63 teams to survey over 10,000 houses and contact nearly 38,000 people. A rapid response team comprising physicians and microbiologists has been formed to monitor patients and assess the spread. The NHRC has observed that the situation raises serious issues of human rights violations and has called for prompt medical treatment and measures to prevent such incidents from recurring. The commission's notice to the government includes a request for information on the health status of the patients and the steps taken to address the crisis.
