MARGAO
Will authorities shed light on the number of deaths of migrant fishing crew members at Cutbona fishing jetty as well as at Mobor on the other side of River Sal after the outbreak of cholera, gastroenteritis and diarrhea?
For, it is now clear that the death of the 19-year old fishing crew worker, a native of Odisha, who succumbed to diarrhea at the Cutbona fishing jetty on Sunday is not the lone death caused by diarrhea/cholera that has been reported so far.
A glance at the letter written by the Chinchinim Health officer, Dr Nixon Fernandes to the South Goa district Collector on August 26 speaks of a death at Mobor as well in August.
This has only thrown up a question or two as to how many migrant workers have so far succumbed to diarrhea/cholera since the outbreak of the disease at the Cutbona jetty and at Mobor.
The authorities also need to compile the number of migrant workers at both Cutbona and Mobor hit by diarrhea and cholera till date.
For, a further glance at the letter reveals that the Chinchinim PHC was intimated on August 19 by the South Goa District Epidemiologist about five cases of acute gastroenteritis leading to severe dehydration amongst boat-workers at Mobor.
The letter stated these migrant labourers were admitted at South Goa District Hospital after they fell sick while sailing, near Karwar and were brought back to Goa for treatment. Preliminary investigations point towards an outbreak of cholera, the letter stated.
What, however, is a matter of concern is that the letter dated August 26 states that 11 cases were given domiciliary treatment, 10 were admitted at South Goa District Hospital and 3 are being treated at Goa Medical College Hospital, Bambolim, indicating that workers hit by gastroenteritis were admitted at both the South Goa district hospital and at GMC, Bambolim.
The need for the State-level authorities to compile the number of diarrhea/cholera cases, including deaths, has arisen since the Cutbona fishing jetty and the Mobor fish landing centre comes under the jurisdiction of two primary health centres -- Balli PHC and Chinchinim PHC respectively.
The compilation of cases is further required since it was believed till Monday that diarrhea had claimed the life of a lone worker at the Cutbona fishing jetty. Now, the letter by Dr Nixon speaks about a death that took place in Mobor prior to August 26.
