Tenants told medical bills will be paid after water contamination at Ajman tower block

Residents are returning home after clean water was restored following health scare

Ajman officials, including members of the police, visited patients who fell ill after the water supply was contaminated by a sewage pipe leak at an apartment complex. Courtesy Ajman Police

A clean water supply has been restored to an Ajman apartment complex in which hundreds of tenants fell ill after a contamination outbreak caused by a sewage pipe leak.

More than 250 residents of four tower blocks in the emirate suffered nausea and vomiting over the weekend.

Tenants have been told it is now safe to consume water at their homes and said they have been promised any medical or hotel bills they incurred during the incident will be paid by Ajman authorities.

Thumbay Hospital in Ajman received 107 patients between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday morning, 10 of whom were admitted for treatment.

Meanwhile Khalifa Hospital dealt with 143 cases and 34 patients were taken to Amina Hospital.

Fresh water has now been supplied for the tanks in the building, following directives from Ajman's Crown Prince, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi.

Last Monday, Sheikh Ammar  instructed officials to open an office at the tower dedicated to helping victims and receiving their complaints.

He also set up a committee - made up of members of Ajman Police, health and municipality departments - to investigate the cause of the environmental health scare and ordered it to submit a report on the incident within a week.

Yawar Zeeshan, 40, whose two children and ill fell ill last Saturday, is thankful for the support his family has received.

He was among several other tenants who moved to hotels until the issue was resolved.

“All affected people, including myself, received multiple telephone calls made on behalf of the Crown Prince assuring us that all our expenses related to the medical bills, hospital charges and hotel bills will be taken care off once submitted by us,” said Mr Zeeshan.

Shahzad Syad, 39, from Pakistan, who moved to a hotel after his family had fallen sick, is grateful for the backing of the government and police.

“We received unmatched support from Ajman’s government and the police in particular,” he said.

“Accidents happen everywhere, and it is not a reason for I or any other resident to consider moving out of the building.”

A number of senior officials from government bodies visited residents in hospital and at their homes to hear their concerns.
Indian tenant Farzana Mashoor said police provided free treatment for those who didn't have insurance.

“We must appreciate the efforts of the Ajman government and in particular Ajman police. They have gone to great lengths to help tenants without any delay,” she said.