Even though more than 120 villagers have been affected by jaundice in five villages of Naugaon block amid fear that more people may be affected by the disease in coming days, no health officer has yet visited the affected areas.
According to sources, more than 120 villagers including 65 children of Telasara, Garei, Dahanikhia, Dhuanpada and Korua villages are suffering from jaundice. Most of the patients are undergoing treatment at private hospitals due to non-availability of doctors in the Government-run hospitals.
The villagers alleged that the cause of spread of the disease is consumption of contaminated water. “Since we do not have access to safe drinking water, we are forced to consume water of the village pond and local river,” they said.
They also said only two doctors are managing four primary health centres (PHCs) in Naugaon, Deriki and Alanahat. While one doctor is working as medical officer in Naugaon block, another is posted at Deriki PHC and there is no doctor at Alanahat PHC.
It is alleged that the field-level officials of the Health Department have failed to provide necessary service to the affected people.
“No senior officer has visited us till date. When we went to the local PHC, its staff asked us to rush the patients to the district hospital. Condition of many patient has worsened,” said Sanatan Sahu of Korua village.
However, Medical Officer of Naugaon Binoda Bihari Rath said, “Medical team has collected blood samples of 13 patients of which eight have tested positive.”
Consumption of contaminated water is the main case of spread of the disease, he added.