Daijworld Media Network – Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Aug 19: In all 12 persons belonging to the rehabilitation centre being run by the state social welfare department at Sumanahalli, Magadi Road here died during the last 24 hours, while over 15, who complained of ill health, were admitted to a hospital. The deaths, which started happening since Tuesday night, came to light on Wednesday August 18 evening.

15 persons were admitted into the Isolation Hospital, Indiranagar in the city, while several were sent back after providing first aid. The patients complained that they are not being properly taken care of by the hospital authorities.

It is suspected that lack of hygiene caused the death of these people. Social welfare minister, Sudhakar, stated that these deaths were natural, adding that post mortem will be conducted by treating this as a special case, as 12 have died within a day. However, city police commissioner, Shankar Bidari, later said that there is no need to conduct post mortem of these bodies. Cremation of the bodies was conducted on Wednesday.

The inmates of the rehabilitation centre said that most of them are old and sick. Even though over 2,500 people are sheltered in the centre, only one doctor has been in charge of their health. The staff of the centre said that a number of people from the centre suffered from dysentery and vomiting since the last three to four days, but none of them were referred to the doctor. Only after the number of deaths soared, were the ill people rushed to the hospital, they said.

Doctor at the centre, Dr Harimurty, suspected that the inmates became sick after consuming rotten food given by donors. He said that the centre is not being properly maintained and managed. On Independence Day, some donors had provided special food to the inmates, it is learnt.