It is alleged that more than three hundred students got sick after drinking the water of Kuwait Maitri Hall
Photo Collected
In the past few days, more than three hundred students have been accused of contracting water-borne diseases after drinking water at Bangladesh-Kuwait Friendship Hall of Dhaka University (DU). The residential students alleged that the hall administration did not take necessary steps even after the students fell ill.
The students say that some students of the hall have been running to the hospital for several days due to waterborne diseases. They claim that this illness started from the water in the hall filter.
বিজ্ঞাপন
A resident student of the Department of Political Science who fell ill recently said, ‘At first we thought it was normal. But a few days ago I came to know through a sister’s post in the hall group that many girls in the hall are having the same problem. Then we assume, maybe there is a problem with the food in the canteen, or the water. But many of those who are sick cook and eat by themselves. Even I cook and eat myself. So the problem is not in the canteen, but definitely in the water.
The student also said that there are three buildings in the hall. All the girls in the three buildings are getting sick. It is difficult to say exactly which filter is the water problem.
বিজ্ঞাপন
It is known that after the complaint was received on May 5, the canteen and filter inspection team was brought on the morning of May 6 on the initiative of the parliament. Samples were collected from food and water sources through hall administration and sent to Dhaka University’s Center for Advanced Research in Sciences (Curs) and Microbiology Lab. The report was supposed to come in three days but it came after 9 days.
When Mahbooba Sultana, Principal of Bangladesh-Kuwait Friendship Hall was called to inquire about this, she said that the water sample report has been received. The students have the report, they will give the details.
A press conference was organized at the initiative of Kuwait Friendship Hall Parliament on Friday afternoon to give details of the lab report. Rafia Rehnuma, vice president of the parliament, told reporters that water was collected from three water sources and sent to the lab for testing. Among them, the water in the tank located on the roof of the building is said to be somewhat dangerous, the drinking water next to the dining hall is unfit for drinking and the water in the hall office tank is clean and fit for consumption.
Rehnuma Hridi also said that due to the delay in the report of water samples sent by the hall administration, the hall sent the water samples to the lab independently in view of the students’ concern. According to that report, no problem was found in the main water source of the hall. Basically because the filters are sterile, the water is contaminated and the students are affected.
Earlier, on Saturday (May 9), the university administration led by Vice-Chancellor Obaidul Islam visited the hall to inquire about the students.
When asked about the steps taken by the university administration, Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Mohammad Almojaddedi Alfeshani said that the water filter devices have all been re-installed. For better filtration, the cartridge has been modified and a UV protector (sterilization method) has been added to the filter. Apart from this, the tanks in which the water accumulates have also been cleaned immediately.
Almojaddedi Alfeshani also said that a medical camp has been set up in the hall. There, sick girls are being given necessary treatment including saline. The administration is trying to ensure the quality of water.
Meanwhile, the resident students of the hall staged a protest last Wednesday around 12 o’clock in protest of the health risks and the negligence of the administration. There is no fixed budget for health care – angered by the administration’s statement, they protested.
A victim student said, ‘When I was taken to the hospital after being seriously ill, none of the prescribed medicines were available at the university medical centre. Where does the money that students pay for the health sector every year during admission go?
During the protest, resident student Aditi Islam presented three demands on behalf of the students. The demands are—1. Publish a full and transparent account of the steps taken by the administration and the Hall Parliament to resolve the health, education and canteen crisis of the Hall and the related budget; 2. Is to ensure accountability of students’ illness due to negligence and irresponsibility of the administration and 3. Ensuring freedom of expression.
Revolutionary Student Alliance has expressed full solidarity with the three-point demand of ordinary students to solve the ongoing crisis of Kuwait Maitri Hall. The organization’s Dhaka University branch held a press conference at Madhur Canteen on Thursday afternoon.
On the same day, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Dhaka University branch made a four-point demand in a circular. Their demands are to ensure clean water and quality food in the hall, make the administration responsible for the treatment of sick students, hold the administration accountable for gross mismanagement and ensure a democratic environment in the hall.
The organization complained that the hall administration was not seen to take any effective steps to resolve the hall crisis. The affected students are not getting adequate health care even from the university medical center.
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