Keonjhar: A day after OTV aired news about the death of a 4-year-old due to malnutrition in Badambi Nahaka sahi of Ghasipura block in Keonjhar district, the district administration on Tuesday assured that steps would be taken to eradicate malnutrition in the tribal-dominated district.
District Collector N Thirumala Nayak said families residing in the inaccessible regions would be given emphasis while chalking out plans to combat malnourishment.
“The family members of Nakul Nayak have been shifted to the district headquarters hospital and the treatment will be completely free. In future we will see that no such cases recur,” the Collector stated.
Earlier in the day, a team of experts including officials of District Welfare Department visited the village and took stock of the situation. They spoke to the family members of Nakul and other inhabitants regarding their life style and livelihood.
The experts however opined that the region needs implementation of various welfare schemes initiated by the State government.
“I observed the situation is very alarming here. Nakul needs to be hospitalised and his daughters should be admitted to a nearby school so that their daily nutrition intake can be increased,” said Vijaylaxmi Rayguru, DSWO, Keonjhar.
Anandpur SDMO Kulamani Barik stated the situation is due to abject poverty of the family.
“Nakul is infected with TB. Though he is taking medicine, he needs to be admitted to the hospital. We are taking steps for improvement of his health condition,” Barik noted.
On Monday, Nakul’s daughter Chumki had died due to malnutrition while her brother and two sisters were also reportedly battling for life.