MALKANGIRI: Chronic alcoholism is the reason behind six deaths in Haldikund village of Malkangiri’s Mathili block. Malkangiri Collector Vishal Singh said the six villagers had suffered damage to kidneys and liver due to a rise in creatinine levels which was a result of chronic alcoholism.
On Sunday, chief district medical officer (CDMO) Prafulla Nanda accompanied by a health team visited Haldikund and took stock of the situation.
“During my visit, I found that one Rame Benjami (50), who succumbed on September 6, used to feed liquor to her 4-year-old son Samaru Benjami regularly. Samaru has also developed swelling on his legs and hands like his mother,” Nanda told TNIE.
The health team examined 10 villagers including Samaru who have swelling on their legs and hands. All of them were referred to the district headquarters hospital for further evaluation and treatment, the CDMO informed.
Sources said a number of villagers are suffering from chronic alcoholism in Haldikund. Flourishing illicit country liquor manufacturing units in Haldikund and the reluctance of villagers to visit doctors because of their belief in superstition have aggravated the situation.
Excise officials had raided the village on Saturday and seized illicit country liquor. After testing, it was found that the liquor’s pH value was five which was acidic and hence, not suitable for consumption, Nanda said adding, that the villagers are mixing battery powder, urea and ammonia to manufacture the illicit liquor.
“While creatinine level is rising in villagers due to consumption of the illicit liquor, the albumin level is decreasing and the imbalance is causing damage to the kidney,” said the CDMO.
The blood test reports of 43 villagers revealed that creatinine level was high which is the reason for the damage to the kidney and liver.
The health team collected a litre of liquor from the village which will be sent for further test, Nanda added. Mathili IIC Surya Prakash Nayak said police are trying to locate the liquor manufacturing units operating in the village.