Gujarat hooch tragedy: Govt rushes antidote as 13 die, moves to reopen hospital units
The Gujarat government has rushed additional critical injections from Maharashtra and is working to reopen six closed departments at a Bhavnagar hospital as it steps up medical support following the state's latest spurious liquor tragedy that has claimed 13 lives.
Amid the mounting death toll in Gujarat’s Bhavnagar spurious liquor tragedy that left 13 dead, the state government has stepped up emergency medical arrangements, including sourcing critical injections from Maharashtra and fast-tracking the reopening of six closed hospital departments.
Union Minister of State Nimuben Bambhaniya reviewed the treatment arrangements at Bhavnagar’s Super Speciality Hospital on Monday and directed officials to ensure that patients receive timely and advanced care.
The minister held a meeting with the Bhavnagar district collector, Superintendent of Police, District Development Officer (DDO), hospital superintendent, medical dean and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), taking stock of the treatment of those affected by the suspected methanol-laced liquor.
One of the immediate challenges highlighted by Bambhaniya was the availability of critical medicines. She said Gujarat initially had only 10 of the required injections, following which the authorities contacted Maharashtra and arranged additional supplies for the treatment of the affected patients.
A total of 63 people have been affected in the tragedy. Of them, 13 have died, while 48 have recovered and been discharged. Two patients are still undergoing treatment, with one being treated at a private hospital, according to the latest assessment shared by the authorities.
6 HOSPITAL DEPARTMENTS TO REOPEN
The government is also moving to strengthen medical infrastructure in Bhavnagar following the crisis. Bambhaniya said efforts were underway to immediately restart six departments that are currently closed, including the super-speciality and nephrology services.
The affected patients are being provided advanced treatment, including dialysis, with doctors and specialists monitoring their condition. A nephrologist was available when the patients began arriving, while another specialist was brought in from Ahmedabad to augment the medical team.
The minister said the collector, DDO, SP and doctors had been working together to coordinate treatment and ensure that patients received the best possible facilities. Regular meetings and monitoring are being carried out to assess the requirements and address any shortage of medicines or equipment.
The tragedy came to light on August 18 after Upendrasinh Gohil, a resident of Kharkadi village, died during treatment after allegedly consuming spurious liquor. As more people fell ill, police and the administration appealed to anyone who had consumed the suspected liquor to immediately seek medical attention.
The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) and police are investigating the case. According to Bambhaniya, action has also been taken against officials and employees found responsible for lapses.
The investigation has so far established that the liquor was contaminated with methanol, a highly toxic chemical. Police have been probing the illegal manufacturing and distribution network behind the suspected spurious liquor, while efforts continue to trace those involved in supplying the raw materials and distributing the toxic brew.
The minister said both the state and central governments were working to make any additional medical facilities required in Bhavnagar available at the earliest.