Malkangiri: Ruling and Opposition parties have begun brickbatting over the spread of Japanese Encephalitis in Malkangiri district.
While the State unit of BJP lamented the ruling party during a visit of its team to the district alleging the State government is not providing enough doctors to the area for treatment, BJD questioned the Health Ministry’s response to the situation so far asking why they have not sent a team yet.
The BJP asked why one pediatric doctor is stationed in the district to treat children and four doctors have been sent for the affected people.
Bhrugu Bauxipatra, State BJP spokesperson, said, “Since 2011 to 2016, the state has not even asked once for the vaccine to treat the Encephalitis. Like other instances, will the state blame the Centre for the death of children in its district?”
He added, “Why the State government has not ordered for a probe yet? I believe the government is not serious about the issue.”
Refuting the charges, Rabi Narayan Nanda, BJD spokesperson, said “The State government is doing every bit possible out of its resources. It has sent a team to the area and more doctors will be stationed soon to treat the affected people. In this juncture, politics should not be made over the issue and everyone should cooperate to saving the lives of children.”
Also Read: Encephalitis toll reaches 40 with two more deaths
Notably, 40 including mostly children have died of the Japanese Encephalitis in the district in past 29 days.