KIDNEY FAILURE DUE TO CONTAMINATED WATER DISTRESSES VILLAGERS IN EASTERN INDIA

NATURAL WITH ORIYA AND ENGLISH SPEECH

DURATION: 2.38

SOURCE: ANI

TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS: NO ACCESS BBC

Villagers in eastern India complain of kidney disease due to contaminated water.

Many villagers in India's eastern state of Orissa are afflicted with kidney ailments, and blame the contaminated water they are forced to consume.

SHOWS:

MONDOBIRLI, ORISSA, INDIA (MAY 17, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. A ROAD

2. WOMEN CARRYING POTS OF WATER

3. WOMEN WALKING

4. VILLAGERS STANDING OUTSIDE THEIR HOUSES

5. A COUPLE TALKING

6. VILLAGER LOOKING AT A MEDICAL REPORT

7. MEDICAL REPORT READING 'KIDNEY FAILURE'

8. MEN WALKING

9. A WEAK-LOOKING MAN WALKING IN THE VILLAGE

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Oriya) BASU BEHERA, A LOCAL SAYING:"We were completely unaware of the ill-effects of contaminated water on the human body a few years ago. In the last 4-5 years, villagers have been complaining of common symptoms. Mediapersons visiting the village highlighted the issue but we got no medical assistance from the state government."

11. A FAMILY TALKING ABOUT THEIR WOES

12. CHILD HOLDING A BASKET

13. (SOUNDBITE) (Oriya) FAKIR PAHARIA, A LOCAL, SAYING:"Doctors say the reason for kidney failure is unsafe drinking water. There are high traces of fluoride in the region, which is the main reason for kidney failure. Initially, we tried to avoid tubewell water, but the river is far off so it is very difficult for us to drink clean water. The state government has paid no attention to our state."

14. AN AILING WOMAN LYING ON A BED

15. WOMAN LYING ON THE BED

16. A LOCAL LOOKING AT A MEDICAL REPORT

17. PAGE OF THE REPORT

18. A PATIENT LYING DOWN

19. WOMAN LYING DOWN

20. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BINOD PRASAD, CHIEF ENGINEER, RURAL WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION (RWSS), ORISSA, SAYING:"This year there is a sanction of 40 lakh (4 million rupees or $ 88,825.70), they are planning for a separate intake well for Mondobirli and I hope that it will happen."

21. LOCAL POURING WATER IN A STEEL GLASS

22. LOCAL DRINKING WATER

23. VILLAGERS STANDING

24. INFECTED VILLAGERS

25 .A FAMILY OUTSIDE THEIR HOUSE

STORY: Villagers in Mondobirli village in India's eastern state of Orissa have complained of a rise in kidney disease.

According to the villagers of the Naupada district, six people died in the village due to kidney failure last year, while 20 new cases of kidney afflictions emerged.

Research by the state government has indicated that ground water contains high amounts of fluoride, which has made water unsafe for human consumption.

But villagers say they have no recourse to potable water and are forced to consume contaminated water, despite the growing incidence of kidney ailments.

"We were completely unaware of the ill-effects of contaminated water on the human body a few years ago. In the last 4-5 years, villagers have been complaining of common symptoms. Mediapersons visiting the village highlighted the issue but we got no medical assistance from the state government," said Basu Behera, a local.

Travelling to far-flung areas in search of safe drinking water is a difficult task and not always possible for them, they said.

"Doctors say the reason for kidney failure is unsafe drinking water. There are high traces of fluoride in the region, which is the main reason for kidney failure. Initially, we tried to avoid tubewell water, but the river is far off so it is very difficult for us to drink clean water. The state government has paid no attention to our state," said Fakir Paharia, a local.

The dangerous chemical continues to harm 120 families living in the village.

Meanwhile, local authorities say plans are being developed to ensure clean drinking water in the region.

"This year there is a sanction of 40 lakh (4 million rupees or $ 88,825.70), they are planning for a separate intake well for Mondobirli and I hope that it will happen," said Binod Prasad, chief engineer of the Rural Water and Sanitation department of Orissa.

Medical studies indicate that fluoride exposure can cause direct damage to the kidney tissue, rendering it useless in some cases.