Waterlogging and Mosquitoes Plague Bharthana CHC in Etawah
Stagnant water and mosquito breeding at Bharthana CHC in Etawah are creating a health crisis for patients and staff.
The Bharthana Community Health Centre (CHC) in Etawah is currently grappling with a severe sanitation crisis as persistent waterlogging within the hospital premises has turned the facility into a breeding ground for mosquitoes and a source of foul odors.
Hundreds of patients and their attendants visit the medical facility every single day, only to be met with flooded paths and stagnant water. This situation has made navigating the hospital campus an arduous task for those already struggling with health issues, significantly increasing the risk of infections due to the massive surge in mosquito activity.
A Constant Battle with Backflowing Water
Despite previous attempts to mitigate the problem, the drainage issues remain unresolved. According to CHC Superintendent Dr. Saif Khan, the hospital had previously used a pumpset with help from the Municipal Corporation to clear the accumulated water. However, the relief was only temporary.
The primary culprit behind the recurring flooding is an adjacent drain located at the rear of the hospital. Water continuously flows back from this drain into the hospital grounds, undoing any efforts made to dry the area. This backflow has created a cycle of stagnation that the facility has struggled to break.
The Challenge of Low Elevation
The structural layout of the hospital makes the drainage problem particularly difficult to solve. Dr. Khan explained that the hospital campus is situated at a lower elevation than the surrounding land. This geographical disadvantage means that water naturally gravitates toward the CHC, making it nearly impossible to drain effectively without addressing the surrounding topography.
While there is a plan to address the ground level once the current water recedes, the solution remains incomplete. The administration intends to level the ground by spreading kiln debris (ravish) to prevent future pooling, but for now, the facility remains without a permanent fix for its drainage woes.