NUAPADA: In the last one and half decade at least 17 children were born with physical disabilities in Kalimati village under Komna block of the district. Maximum of them are either blind, deaf or dumb.
Kalimati, located about 50 kms from district headquarters town, is inhabited by 460 people and many of them are down with disabilities. If the villagers are to believed, they have been noticing this trend since some decades and their pleas for a survey have failed to move the district administration. Consider this, the oldest person suffering from birth infirmity Dhanaphula Hati, is aged around 38.
With villagers in many parts of the district already suffering from fluorosis related disorders, the case of Kalimati has left the people worried. The villagers have demanded an indepth assessment to ascertain the reason for the disorders.
The villagers depend on agriculture for their livelihood. But, with many from the next generation suffering from some or the other kind of disabilities, the villagers are clearly worried about their future and fear for the survival of their young.
Meanwhile, a team of doctors who were sent to the village after the incident of fluorosis in other parts of the district was highlighted by a section of the media, could not find any conclusive reason behind the trend.
On the other hand, Chief District Medical Officer Dr Jagdish Mahanad said, it could be a fallout of consanguineous marriage or marriage between close family members. A team had visited the village about a year back and a study had revealed that more than disease it is chromosomal disorder. He, however, admitted that more study and DNA analysis needs to be carried out to zero in on the exact cause and prevent further births with disabilities.
It could be a fallout of consanguineous marriage. A team had visited the village about a year back and a study had revealed that more than disease it is chromosomal disorder. More study and DNA analysis needs to be carried out to zero in on the exact cause