Cholera epidemic kills over 70 tribals in Orissa

NI Wire

Bhubaneswar

Mon, 27 Aug 2007: 

Aug 27: Cholera epidemic in the tribal dominated Rayagada and Koraput district of Orissa again brought the poor health care facilities to the fore front. Kaspur block of Rayagada district is the most affected one with more than 50 deaths so far though unofficially it may high in number.

Though cases of the epidemic came 20 days back but government’s response to the situation has made it worse with poor function of healthcare centres. Apart from Kashipur, in another block Dasmanthpur of neighbouring Koraput district 20 people have died so far as per official report.

Absence of safe drinking water, poor health service in PHC, contaminated food and lack of sanitation are prime causes of the epidemic that has been termed by a team of doctors from the MKCG medical college, Berhampur who have visited the blocks just after death toll rises.

Soon after the incident takes a political turn by the opposition Congress the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered to send as many as 12 medical teams from the three medical colleges to control the situation.

Reportedly, the Kashipur block constitutes over 40 large and medium villages have only two doctors on deputation. The state government has sent several medical teams to all the affected areas and also KBK districts to take all precautionary measures. Till now more than 3000 people have treated so far from different villages.

Reports are still coming from different places with people complaining of stomach ach, vomiting and diarrhea, and hence health official has been closely monitoring the situation. Mobile hospitals have also created in various places for conducting timely health check-up of the villagers.

Heavy rains from the past couple weeks in some parts of the state also believed to be contaminated the source of water that resulted with the present situation. The health department has also sounded alert in all the surrounding districts considering the present condition of cholera in Rayagada and Koraput district.