Last month a tragedy struck a locality of our town. Contaminated water claimed several lives in that area. Many people suffering from gastroenteritis were admitted to the Civil Hospital. I went to the Hospital to see my ailing cousin. I was glad to learn that his condition was quite stable.
But I felt disgusted at the pathetic conditions prevailing there. There were neither proper facilities nor adequate staff to cope with the rush of patients. Many patients suffering from fever and stomach disorders were lying in the corridors and groaning in pain. People were entreating the doctors to attend to their relatives first, but the doctors were working at a snail’s pace.
Their casual attitude towards the plight of the patients really appalled me. Dirty wads of cotton wool, used bandages, spilled medicinal liquid, wrappers, skins and peels of fruits and vegetables and other stray articles had been strewn all over the place.
It was difficult to breathe in the stench that permeated the whole atmosphere. I was about to leave when I noticed half a dozen volunteers working silently but tenaciously. They were not only looking after the sick but were also comforting the members of their families. I realized that in this world of degenerating values there were still a few Good Samaritans. This reaffirmed my faith in humanity.