Dhenkikote: Even as dengue has acquired alarming proportion in Barbil, malaria is reportedly spreading its wings in Santrapur panchayat under tribal-dominated Ghatagaon block in Keonjhar district for the last 15 days.
With healthcare facilities out of their reach, over 50 persons, including some children, were affected by malaria.
Social activists expressed concern that the disease may acquire alarming proportion unless immediate measures are taken in the inaccessible area. Crores of rupees are being spent for tribal welfare through Integrated Tribal Development Agency, but there has been no improvement in their lives, the activists said.
Kuladora is a hilly and remote village where about 200 Juanga tribals belonging to 33 families reside.
Our reporter visited the village and saw the miserable condition of the poor tribals. He got to know that one or more than one member of each family is affected by the vector-borne disease.
Only health worker Debendra Mohanty occasionally visits the village. It was learnt that over 50 people were affected by malaria. Mohanty visited the village Sunday and tested the blood samples of 30 persons of which 20 tested positive for malaria. The health worker distributed medicines among the patients.
The condition of three patients Andhari Junga (35), Sambhari Junaga (4) and Shiba Junaga is stated to be critical. They were rushed to Ghatagaon hospital in an ambulance.
Due to consumption of contaminated water, other diseases are also spreading in the village. Locals demanded that a medical team be sent to the village to take preventive measures. PNN
