Kidney disease spreads panic in Bolangir villages

Bolangir: Death lurks at the villagers constantly. For four persons have died due to renal failure within just one month while 14 persons have died within one year in the three villages of Rampur, Dhaunradadar and Adendunguri under Agalpur block in Bolangir district. Several people continue to face the danger of slow death. Yet the apathetic attitude of the administration and the health department to find out the reason for the killer disease is baffling.

It was January 4, 2012. Bali Sahu along with 40 others facing danger kidney failure reached the office of the district collector to demand help for medical assistance. But Bali Sahu who hailed from village Rampur succumbed to his illness on February 20, 2012. Within a span of just one month another three died of renal failure. "I lost my husband and life has become miserable for me," rued Kaka Nanda.

At least 14 persons from Rampur, Dhaunradadar and Adendunguri villages under Agalpur have died of kidney failure within the last 12 months. At least another 30 villagers have been suffering from the disease while the condition of some was critical.

The presence of large amount of iron in the water in the tubewells could be the cause of the spread of the disease. Said Dr Srinivas Sahu,"The village tubewells have heavy iron contents and it could be the reason for the kidney related diseases".

The district administration swung into action after the death of Bali Sahu from village Rampur. The administration has admitted seven affected persons from the three villages in the district the district headquarter hospital. But several other unfortunate patients have been forgotten. Those who have been left by the administration have been left to fend for themselves. And curse their fate.