Indore's Bhagirathpura Area Gripped by Renewed Fear After Fatal Water-Borne Illness
Panic has resurfaced in the Bhagirathpura locality of Indore on Monday following the tragic demise of 65-year-old Anita Kushwah. The elderly woman passed away at Bombay Hospital on Sunday night after being hospitalised for over a month, initially admitted with symptoms of diarrhoea.
A Prolonged Medical Battle Ends in Tragedy
Kushwah's son, Nilesh, revealed that his mother had no prior significant health conditions before this medical crisis began. Her ordeal started on December 28 when she was first admitted to Bhagyashree Hospital suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea. Although discharged after two days, her condition deteriorated rapidly within hours, necessitating admission to Aurobindo Hospital on January 1, and subsequently to Bombay Hospital on January 4.
She spent her final weeks on ventilator support as medical teams fought to save her life. Chief Medical and Health Officer Dr. Madhav Hasani provided detailed insight into the clinical complications that ultimately led to Kushwah's demise.
"The patient's initial cause of admission was diarrhoea," explained Dr. Hasani. "She was later diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis accompanied by kidney failure, requiring haemodialysis. The situation escalated with a cardiac arrest that necessitated CPR, followed by multiple cycles of plasmapheresis and dialysis. The final cause of death was determined to be pneumonia with septic shock leading to multiple organ failure."
Ongoing Health Emergency Despite Some Recovery
While the health department reports that more than 450 patients have recovered and been discharged since the outbreak began, the medical emergency persists for several residents. Currently, three patients remain hospitalised, with two in critical condition requiring intensive care unit support.
The persistence of cases has kept the community on edge, particularly in Bhagirathpura where the water-borne health crisis originated.
Comprehensive Health Camp Deployed in Response
In response to the ongoing situation, the health department organised a specialised health camp at the Mukhyamantri Sanjeevani Clinic in Bhagirathpura on Monday. This initiative aimed to provide comprehensive and accessible healthcare services to area residents affected by the recent health crisis.
The camp witnessed significant community participation with approximately 396 beneficiaries receiving:
- Thorough medical examinations
- Necessary treatments and medications
- Expert medical consultations
Medical teams conducted an impressive 481 diagnostic tests during the event. In a compassionate outreach effort, healthcare providers also made home visits to 13 residents over the age of 80, ensuring they received necessary care and consultations without having to travel.
Water Supply Restoration Progresses Cautiously
On the infrastructure front, Indore Municipal Corporation resumed water supply to 30% of the affected area on Monday, operating on an alternate-day basis. While municipal officials claim the water is now potable, many residents continue to exercise caution, relying on RO purification systems and water tankers for their daily needs.
Work on the main pipeline serving the remaining 70% of the affected area is reportedly in its final stages, offering hope for more comprehensive restoration in the coming days. The partial resumption represents progress, but the community remains vigilant given the recent health tragedies linked to water contamination.
The combined approach of medical intervention through health camps and infrastructure repair through water system restoration reflects authorities' multi-pronged strategy to address both immediate health concerns and underlying causes of the outbreak.
