Jajpur/Kaliapani: There is not let up in death of children at hilltop Nagada village in Jajpur district as two kids have died of malaria within a month while many were affected by the vector-borne disease, a report said Wednesday.
The deceased were identified as Dudura Pradhan, the three-month-old son of Tuni and Jaina Pradhan and Madhu Pradhan, the four-year-old son of Rama Pradhan.
The death of the kids has triggered panic in the village inhabited by Juanga tribals. Nagada was in news last year for the deaths of 22 children due to malnutrition.
While Dudura died Tuesday, Madhu succumbed to the disease April 24. The deaths have brought to fore that fact that malaria is the second major reason behind death of children in the remote village after malnutrition.
The spread of malaria highlights the apathetic attitude of the district administration towards the village.
At present, the condition of the four-year-old son of Jampa Pradhan is critical while several other children have been affected by the disease. The district administration has confirmed the malaria deaths.
The situation has arisen even as state food commission chairperson Rangalal Jamuda and former heath secretary Arati Ahuja undertook several visits to the hilltop village and directed the administration to speed developmental projects in the village.
According to villagers, Dudura was affected by fever three days back and was rushed to the Tata Steel hospital in an ambulance after his condition turned critical.
Doctors shifted him to Sukinda hospital after administering him primary treatment. The doctors at Sukinda referred the patient to the Jajpur Road community health centre as the boy’s condition worsened.
The boy was diagnosed with malaria Monday. His condition showed no sign of improvement following which it was decided to shift him to the district headquarters hospital. However, the boy died on the way to the hospital.
Additional district medical officer Kahnu Charan Nayak said Dudura died due to delay in admitting him to the hospital. PNN
