Indore Launches Real-Time Household Survey Amid Water Contamination Crisis

The survey is being conducted in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) using KoboTool. Formally known as KoboToolbox, it is a digital data collection platform used to conduct surveys and collect field data using mobile phones, tablets, or computers.

It is widely used in public health, disaster response, and humanitarian work because it supports GPS location, timestamps, photos, and validation checks, thereby improving data accuracy and reliability.

Indore's CMHO Hasani, said, "Today, with the cooperation of ICMR, we are conducting a real-time survey of households at the local level using the KoboTool. The survey covers 5,000 households. We have formed 200 teams. Each team has been given a target of surveying 25 households, and information about each household, including who is sick and their location, will be collected through a mobile questionnaire using the KoboTool. Each team consists of an ASHA worker, a nursing officer, and a doctor. This team will also distribute chlorine drops and explain their proper use. ORS kits sent to us from Bhopal by the department will also be distributed."

He further stressed that they aimed to test all patients in each household, including those with symptoms and those who had been discharged from hospitals.

"As far as the disease statistics and the current situation are concerned, the situation is completely under control. The number of patients admitted yesterday was 18, and currently, 16 patients are in our ICU. Professors from medical colleges are monitoring their treatment in the private hospitals and will give necessary direction based on their reports," the CMHO said.

When asked about the official figures of the deaths in the incident so far, he said, "A committee has been constituted to analyse the official figures of death. A report of the death audit committee is expected to be received by this evening and after that we will update you in this regard...The deaths due to diarrheal disease that we declared yesterday were six. The committee is investigating all the other deaths that have occurred during this period. After examining their documents and receiving the reports, we will update you in the evening."

The incident has sparked widespread criticism as it claimed several lives and many families were affected by it. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had announced Rs 2 lakh financial assistance to the families of the deceased and free treatment to all the affected people.

- ANI