Diarrhoea claims four lives in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar district

Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh), July 8 (ANI): Four infants aged between 18 months and five years have died of diarrhoea in Mushar village in Uttar Pradesh's Kushinagar District.

"Four boys have died. Half a dozen children suffering from diarrhoea are admitted in the hospital," said Mahesh, father of a diarrhoea-affected child.

The village does not have provision for clean and safe drinking water.

People draw water from wells and hand pumps for drinking as well as other needs while one is uncertain as for the quality of the water.

As if to add more woes to the poor and unhygienic living conditions, the rising temperature has further hastened the outbreak of contagious diseases.

About six children have been admitted in the primary health centre at Kasaya where they are being administered medicines.

However, the villagers have complained that the hospital, bereft of most of the facilities, is not providing their children with medicines.

Munni Lal, whose child has been admitted to the hospital, alleged that doctors are apathetic to the plight of the children and the villagers.

"Four kids have died because of diarrhoea. The doctors at the hospital are not listening to us. They tell us first to get medicines and then they will give treatment to our children," said Lal.

Almost all the villagers are poor, solely relying on government hospitals or dispensaries and they cannot afford to buy medicines from elsewhere.

The villagers also noted that even though the district administration has been instructed to hold regular health camps in the villages, they are not getting any medical help.

Diarrhoea is a disease caused by stale and rotten food and polluted water. It escalates during the summer season since shortage of potable water forces many to rely on water from contaminated sources. (ANI)