Malkangiri: The district administration Sunday swung into action and rescued a destitute leprosy patient who was starving to death for last one week after family members drove him out of his house.
The matter came to fore, after a report of the elderly man named Ganga’s condition was published in media.
On the orders of chief district medical officer (CDMO) Amarendra Mohanty, a medical team from Phandripani community health centre (CHC) trekked to Ganga’s village through Goi hills and rescued the man.
Shockingly, no villagers turned up to help the officials fearing they may contract the disease. Even family members did not show up to extend a helping hand in the rescue operation.
The team members comprising Ladu Pradhan, a reporter Ashok Mishra, Susant Suna and panchayat executive officer Ashok Mohanty made a sling using bamboo sticks and carried Ganga in it.
He was carried in the sling to the block office from where he was taken to the district headquarters hospital in ambulance. The team had to cross a river and walk for more than 3 km shouldering the sling to reach the ambulance, sources said.
According to sources, family members cast Ganga aside after he was afflicted by leprosy. Since then, a bamboo thatched house was his shelter. He was reportedly starving for one week.
“His condition is serious as he has not eaten anything for days together,” said the medical team, adding Ganga was under treatment in the district headquarters hospital. Necessary steps will be taken to rehabilitate Ganga after treatment, it was learnt. PNN
