Balasore: The state and Centre are spending crores of rupees for eradication of leprosy and treatment of people affected by the disease, but the miserable condition in which patients live at a leprosy colony her has posed a question on the implementation of government programmes for them, a report said.
In 1945, the government took a major initiative for rehabilitation of leprosy patients of entire north Orissa by setting up a Kustashram in an area of 7 acre and 57 decimal of land at Bamapada. Scores of patients from Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and other districts were rehabilitated here.
Inmates say the government had built asbestos-roofed houses here 70 years ago, but they are now in ruins for lack of maintenance. The damaged roofs lead to leakage of water during the rainy season.
Besides, the inmates are allegedly deprived of the treatment they deserve. Earlier, 41 families used to live in the colony, now their number has come down to 33.
The inmates lamented that when it rains they have no way but to come out of their houses and take shelter either under trees or the verandah of the nearby school.
“We have covered the broken parts of the roofs with sacks and polythene sheets. The administration is well aware of our sorry state, but has taken no step for the repair of the houses in precarious condition,” the inmates said.
Now, over 100 leprosy patients have made shanties along the National Highway.
Besides, there is a permanent heath camp at the colony, but there are no permanent doctors.
“An Ayush doctor visits the camp for only two hours Mondays and for 8 hours Thursdays. In the two days a week, the doctor doesn’t attend to all 350 patients. As a result, all patients fail to get treatment,” rued 57-year-old inmate Dasarathi Rout.
Over 100 patients have become physically disabled under impact of the disease.
“We have to go to Puri or Janla in Bhubaneswar for surgery and other necessary treatment. Earlier, patients were provided three meals a day, but now only rice, dal and vegetable are supplied once a month,” said inmates Tima Murmu and Nanda Prasad Singh.
ADMO Dr Charubala Rath said the administration has been reminded several times about the need for new houses for leprosy patients who are still living in state, but to no avail.
Six years ago, posts of a doctor, a pharmacist and a nurse were scrapped, leading to patients being deprived of proper treatment, she added. PNN