AHMEDABAD:

, considered a model state in ease of doing business, ironically lags behind even the Bimaru states when it comes to certain

. In a reflection of poor state of health, the state ranks among top 10 in

in the country, according to 2018 data tabled in the

recently.

In absolute numbers, Gujarat recorded high numbers of cholera, acute diarrhoeal disease, viral hepatitis than Bimaru states – Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh – which is generally ranked lower in health services. Enteric fever or typhoid was the only water-borne illness where Gujarat had fewer cases as compared to the Bimaru states. The data was shared by MoS (health and family welfare) Ashwini Kumar Choubey in response to Rajkot MP Mohan Kundariya in July 19 session. As per the data, Gujarat ranked fourth in the country for cholera cases with 106 cases, sixth for diarrhoea cases, ninth for hepatitis and 10th for typhoid. P 4

All diseases increased gradually from 2016 to 2018

The data also showed gradual increase in all the diseases from 2016 to 2018. From 2016 to 2018, hepatitis has increased by 105%, typhoid by 23%, cholera by 20.5% and diarrhoea by 14%. Prof Deepak Saxena, an epidemiologist from Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar (IIPH-G), said multiple factors are resulting in spike in water-borne diseases in Gujarat. “Often, plastic pipes used for water supply get damaged due to extreme heat witnessed in state raising chances of contamination. Our studies have revealed that chlorination and water quality was largely good at sources but deteriorated by the time it reaches the drinking pot,” he said. Simple factors like not washing hands are significantly increasing the disease burden.