eHEALTH Bureau Cholera and other water borne diseases, which have claimed 39 lives since August, have started infected more people in Orissa’s Rayagada district in the last few days, and triggered panic among the residents, media reports. According to the latest data, the number of people and villages affected by the diseases has risen to 784 and 156 respectively. ‘Over 100 more people have been infected and the diseases have been reported from 54 new villages,’ an official of the health control room informed news agency IANS. However, local newspapers claimed that the government figure was far from the real figure. Dharitri, a vernacular Oriya daily, said in a report that the number of deaths in Rayagada district has crossed the 100 mark and the number of people affected has crossed the 1,000 figure. Another vernacular newspaper ‘The Samaja’ said the disease has also spread to the neighbouring Gajapati and Nabrangpur districts. The paper also said that during the past two days, at least seven people have died of cholera and other water borne diseases in Rayagada, Gajapati and Nabrangpur. The state government had already sent 30 more doctors to the affected areas. ‘We have sent 30 more doctors and 40 para-medical staff,’ a state health official told IANS, adding that Health Minister Prasanna Acharya and Health Secretary Anu Garg will visit the Rayagada soon to assess the situation. A unit of the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) consisting of eight personnel was also pressed into service Monday to bring patients from inaccessible areas. ‘We are taking all steps to bring the situation under control,’ District Collector N.B. Jawale said, adding that around 50 patients undergo treatment in various health camps and hospitals in the region every day. However, a doctor said, ‘We are struggling to prevent the disease from spreading. But the patients do not come to the hospital for treatment.’ The state government last week announced incentives for those bringing patients to government hospital. The government has also decided to provide one ‘dhoti’ (traditional loin cloth) and a bar of soap to each male patient and a saree and a bar soap to each of the female patients.

Be a part of Elets Collaborative Initiatives. Join Us for Upcoming Events and explore business opportunities. Like us on Facebook , connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter , Instagram.

Related Hospital News


whatsapp--v1