Eight other Byculla jail inmates hospitalised, 84 of the 87 discharged

Even as 84 of the 87 female inmates of Byculla Jail were discharged at 6 pm on Saturday and sent back to jail, eight other inmates were admitted to the Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy (JJ) Hospital reportedly for abdominal pain, vomiting, dehydration and diarrhoea.

Doctors said, “The health condition of all the inmates is stable now and after paperwork all were discharged. Complications mostly occurred due to food or water contamination. Moreover, eight inmates including three pregnant and one male inmates continue to be admitted to the medicine and gynaecology ward of the hospital.”

“Three pregnant inmates, have been held back at the hospital for further treatment. However, the fourmonth-old infant and his mother have been sent back. The one male prisoner who was brought to hospital late at night on Friday has been kept in the male general ward,” said Dr Sanjay Surase, medical superintendent, JJ Hospital.

Dr Mukund Tayade, Dean, JJ Hospital said “Two of the prisoners have been diagnosed with anaemia and they will be given blood transfusion and most likely be sent back by Sunday night. However, the exact cause of infection is not known. We will submit the complete report to jail authorities along with treatment details. It is up to the jail authorities to investigate,” Dr Tayade said.

According to the doctors, since the patients have been admitted to the hospital none of them complained of diarrhoea or vomiting. “The blood reports are normal and antibiotics have been given to them to prevent gastroenteritis," said Dr Anees V, medicine department.

However, the Maharashtra State Commission for Women will investigate into the matter. “We will investigate the matter as doctors are claiming that the inmates have not fallen sick due to intake of medicines, so it might be because of food or water. However, we will take cognizance of the situation and are likely to issue a warning to the jail authorities."