Mumbai, Sept. 2 -- As thousands of protesters have persisted amid rain, contaminated food and water, and suffocating crowds, health concerns mounted at Azad Maidan on day four of the Maratha Morcha. Two medical camps and several ambulances have been working round the clock as the number of patients surged past 2,300 by Monday evening. According to the BMC's medical camp, 1,326 protesters were treated between 8am and 5:30pm on Monday. In the first three days, the camp recorded 1,037 patients, taking the total tally to about 2,360 cases so far. Doctors reported a rise in viral fever, throat aches, joint pains and hypertension. Cases of gastrointestinal infections, diarrhoea, dehydration and skin irritation were also frequent, largely linked to poor ventilation, contaminated food and water, and prolonged exposure to rain. Doctors also observed a few instances of chest pain, strokes and even suspected leptospirosis. According to the BMC, at least 12 doctors have been stationed at the camp taking 12-hour shifts to treat patients continuously despite heavy rainfall. "We are closely monitoring the public and providing medication," said Dr Habib Khan, medical officer at the BMC camp. At GT Hospital, around 60 to 70 patients visited the Outpatient Department (OPD) in the last three days. A senior doctor said that all the patients were treated free of cost and discharged in two days. The Maratha Samiti has set up its own camp with seven volunteer doctors from across the state. "We have only basic medication here," said Dr Vivek Survase of the Nair Hospital, a volunteer at the camp. Shortages of medicines are particularly dangerous for patients with chronic illnesses. With medical shops nearby closed, many protesters have gone without diabetes medication for a day or more. The stock of donated medicines too is rapidly depleting, said Dr Kanchan Patil, a Maratha Kranti Morcha activist and general practitioner from Panvel....