Balasore: A fresh outbreak of diarrhoea is giving sleepless nights to residents of Oupada block in Balasore district affecting 20 persons.
The outbreak of the epidemic comes even as the area is beset with an acute shortage of medical facilities.
The outbreak occurred in Aghirapada area, sources said.
In the absence of basic healthcare facilities, tribal residents are resorting to superstitious practices to treat patients. As there is no 108 ambulance service in the area, tribals have no other option but to carry critical patients to the nearest hospital on cots and walk all the way there.
According to reports, tribal-dominated area Aguana sahi in Aghira panchayat is just five km from the block headquarters. But the village has no proper road which ambulances can use to get there.
Wednesday, a person died of diarrhoea after failing to get timely medical care. Another 13 more residents were also reportedly affected by the water-borne disease.
Recently, 17 persons were affected by diarrhoea after drinking contaminated water and eating wild mushrooms. As healthcare is not available in the area, a quack from nearby Kamarpal had administered saline drips to patients late at night. However, a 14-year-old girl Sasmita Patra died.
Meanwhile, a team of medical staff visited the area and provided treatment to patients.
The patients were finally sent to Soro hospital via 108 ambulance after they were carried about half a km from the village with help of cots. PNN
