Kalahandi: Health dept on toes after 27 deaths in 2 months

Bhawanipatna: After reports of 27 deaths and scores of cases of Diarrhea from two tribe-dominated panchayats of Kerpai and Talanagi in Kalahandi district in the last two months, health department officials have finally woken up to the enormity of the problem and strated taking measures to combat the problem.

A medical team from the district headquarters has visited the affected places to provide treatment and collected blood samples for examination. According to sources, authorities are facing difficulties in discharging healthcare facilities in these two far-flung panchayats.

While confirming 17 deaths, including six children, in 19 villages in the past two months, the Chief District medical Officer (CDMO) has said the exact cause of the deaths is yet to be ascertained. These areas have been put on a close watch, he added.

“The definite reasons are yet to be ascertained. It is not an epidemic as all the deaths are not on account of a single disease. Out of the blood samples we have checked, we have found only two malaria positive cases. The medical team has visited the spots and has provided treatment and medicines to the affected people. Because these are far flung areas, we do not have enough manpower to provide services,” said Kalahandi CDMO Braja Kishore Brahma.