starved Bab Makkah here, several people were seen relaxed while carrying water from running taps provided by a private hospital. Medical 2000 Polyclinic has come up with a rare idea of creating an oasis for hundreds of people in the Saheefa district, around the clock. Women, kids and young men – all of them filling their jerry cans and bottles with water for their daily use from the three available taps. “But for this service provided by the polyclinic, we would have been in a crisis as is being faced by people elsewhere in the area,” said Abdallah, a Somali, who has lived here for eight years. The polyclinic director, however, took his philanthropic work as “charity in the way of Allah the Almighty,” and hence refused to be named or to divulge the cost of this social work project. But, visiting Bab Makkah may be a hazardous task for those who may be unaware of the problems awaiting them due to the acute water crisis. “We are on verge of epidemic,” says a doctor, who works with a private hospital here, requesting anonymity. If the doctor is to be believed, Bab Makkah is in real danger of epidemics like the contagious dengue fever. The main reason he cites for his apprehension is the months-long stored water which is an obvious breeding ground for mosquitoes and other germs. “It's a complete unhygienic surrounding,” said the doctor. Dr. A.G. M. Shahidul Haque, another doctor working with Medical 2000, said: “There is already an increase in water-borne diseases like food poisoning, diahorrea, vomiting, skin diseases (abcess, boils), dental infections and gum bleeding, mainly because of not taking bath or cleaning teeth. Another disease is urinary tract infection (UTI) having a tendency of burning sensation during urination.” He said that the municipal water that is supplied once a a month, however, reduces the danger. Reports randomly collected corroborate what the doctor has suggested. People don't wash hands after answering nature's call. Restaurants compromise with the hygeine as they have to buy water, shelling out too many extra bucks. “Restaurants generally compromise with cleanliness and reduce the amount of water in washing utensils, food items etc,” said an owner. Some people are even forced to skip even ablution before offering prayers. “I really doubt if my prayers are answered, since I sometimes have to skip ablution midway due to sudden stoppage of water. Sometimes I just sprinkle water on my body for prayers,” said a young boy, Sharief. Saleh Abdullah Alyafavi, 60, the owner of a restaurant, said: “Individuals like me sometimes get water tankers to fill the mosque tanks which can be done only occasionally.”
