BERHAMPUR: With the death of P Dileswar (38), the toll due to kidney ailment has gone up to 21 during the last five years at Badaputi village under Chhatrapur block. Dileswar was suffering from the disease since long and died on Monday. More than 10 persons in the village are suffering from renal failure. High incidents of chronic kidney disease have been reported in several villages of the block. The locals have alleged that the kidney ailments are due to contamination of ground water by toxic byproducts. The area is adjacent to Orissa Sands Complex (OSCOM), a unit of Indian Rare Earths Ltd.
Though several persons have died due to kidney ailment in the last few years, the administration is yet to take adequate steps to tackle the disease, locals said. However, the officials of OSCOM said water samples were collected from the vicinity and tested at Regional Pollution Control Board and it was found that the water was fit for human consumption.The district health office claimed that the officials are keeping a watch on the affected villages. They said treatment facilities, including dialysis, are available in MKCG Medical. The health officials said an expert team would soon visit Badaputi village to take stock of the situation.