The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) team visited Gandhinagar Civil Hospital to meet patients admitted following a typhoid outbreak, which authorities have linked to contaminated drinking water in the city.
Over 100 children, along with other patients, are undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Speaking on the visit, AAP Chief Spokesperson Dr. Karan Barot said that he, along with Central Zone Working President Dr. Jwel Vasra, Jitubhai Upadhyay, Hardikbhai Talati and other party members, met with affected families to express solidarity.
“In sectors 24, 27 and other areas of Gandhinagar, drainage water has mixed with the drinking water supply, due to which many children have been admitted to the hospital. More than 100 children aged between 1 and 16 years, along with around 133 patients in total, are undergoing treatment,” he said.
Dr. Barot highlighted the impact on families, noting that parents and guardians have left their work and livelihoods to be with their children. “This is not just a leakage in the water pipeline, but a leakage in the government system,” he said.
He added that prior complaints regarding the mixing of drainage and drinking water had reportedly been made but no corrective action was taken. “There have also been representations that corruption may have occurred somewhere in the laying of these pipelines. Doctors have been deployed and the treatment of children at the hospital is being carried out properly, there is no doubt about that. But who is responsible for the creation of this situation? When will action be taken against those responsible?” Dr. Barot questioned.
He further urged a thorough investigation into the agencies involved in laying the pipelines and overseeing the work. “Those involved in the leakage of the government system, due to which small children are undergoing treatment in hospitals and families are going through distress, must face the strictest possible action. This is our demand,” he said.
The typhoid outbreak in Gandhinagar has raised concerns about water safety in the city and prompted calls for swift action to prevent similar incidents across Gujarat.