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Bhuj, Gujarat – A tragic incident has unfolded in Moti Rohatad village of Bhuj Taluka, where four children have died over the past week, reportedly due to a water-borne disease. The deaths have sparked alarm among the 400-500 residents of the village, as seven other individuals, including children, are currently receiving treatment at G.K. General Hospital.
The deceased children, identified as Saybha Karim Sama, Jasminbai Rasid Sama, Siddiq Sama, and Wasim Abdul Karim Sama, initially exhibited symptoms of fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. According to local sources, their condition deteriorated rapidly within just 5-6 hours, triggering widespread panic in the area.
Jumabhai A. Sama, the village sarpanch, has formally lodged a complaint with the Health Commissioner, calling for immediate intervention. “We need urgent action to prevent any more deaths. The situation is critical,” he stated.
Health authorities suspect that contaminated drinking water is the likely cause of the illness. In response, the district health department has deployed a team to Moti Rohatad, where they are conducting house-to-house inspections and implementing water chlorination measures to curb the spread of the disease.
Nikunj Parikh, the in-charge district development officer, confirmed that water samples have been collected for testing to determine the exact source of contamination. He assured the public that the results would guide further preventive actions.
Local leaders have pointed to the nearby Bandhi Dam, a water source used for irrigation, as a possible origin of the contamination. They alleged that despite previous complaints about dead aquatic animals and livestock carcasses being found in the dam, no remedial action was taken. “This negligence could have cost these children their lives,” a villager remarked.
The crisis has been exacerbated by the reported absence of medical professionals at the Khavda Community Health Centre (CHC) during nighttime hours. This has led to significant delays in the treatment of affected individuals. The gram panchayat has urgently appealed to the Health Commissioner to deploy medical teams immediately and ensure that doctors are available at the CHC and the Dinara Primary Health Centre around the clock.
The situation remains tense in Moti Rohatad as residents await further action from health authorities. The deaths have underscored the urgent need for improved infrastructure and prompt medical response in rural areas to prevent such tragedies in the future.
