SAMBALPUR: After Dakra gram panchayat (GP) in Maneswar block of the district where Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has left maximum number of villagers crippled, fresh reports have been received from Jharkarpali gram panchayat in Jujumura block.
More than 23 deaths have been reported from the gram panchayat in the last five years in the GP, located barely 30 kms from the district headquarter.
The once Maoist affected GP has been fighting the problem since long and absence of any concrete steps to check the disease has compounded the woes of the affected families.
The health or district administrations are yet to ascertain the cause even though many more are suffering from the disease and the bereaved families are leading a pathetic life after the demise of the only breadwinners. Those who have died were between 30 and 50 years.
Villagers said, most of the affected died while undergoing treatment either at District Headquarters Hospital or VIMSAR and the health administration cannot claim to be clueless about it. But, no steps have yet been taken by them to contain spread of the disease, they rued.
What has compounded to the problem is absence of a Nepherologist in VIMSAR, the lifeline of Western Odisha, even though reports of CKD have been received from across the region.
The furious villagers said had administration taken timely action, number of deaths and those suffering could have been brought down. The disease could be spreading because of water they are drinking or country liquor being brewed and sold in the villages, said a widow refusing to be identified. Her husband was diagnosed with CKD, a few months after marriage and she had been running between home and hospital to get him cured, but he died a premature death.
On the other hand, there are people like Sanjay Mirdha and Gajanand Bhoi who refuse to avail treatment due to penury. With the meagre resources at their disposal, it is not possible to purchase medicine from outside.
They demanded help from State Government. Chief District Medical Officer, Dr Kodanda Rao said they are planning to organise a camp in the GP and all necessary steps would be taken to combat the situation.
Crippling Truth
Most of the affected died while undergoing treatment either at DHH or VIMSAR
Absence of a Nepherologist in VIMSAR, has compounded the problem
Many unwilling to avail treatment due to penury and have sought Govt help