Raisuan: Crores of rupees are being spent on malaria eradication programme in the state, but it has been reportedly ineffective in tribal pockets of Keonjhar district.
Even as malaria continues to spread in various panchayats, the disease has claimed its first victim at Naupada in Mahadeijoda panchayat late Monday night amid allegations that the health department is in slumber.
The deceased was identified as six-year-old Arpita Nayak, daughter of Tika Nayak and Sukanti Nayak. Arpita down with fever for several days but did not get any medical attention.
According to reports, malaria has reared its ugly head again in the area and is spreading its tentacles while the health department is yet to wake up to the situation.
Over 200 persons were reportedly down with fever in the area, it was learnt.
Among them are Sambhari Nayak (40), Badal Nayak (5), Chandan Dehury (5), Kainta Nayak (25) and Rugu Nayak (35) of Naupada and student Sushat Nayak of Mahadeijoda Ashram School.
Reports said scores of people affected by malaria are undergoing treatment at Padmapur CHC.
The death of the girl has struck panic in the area.
In 2016, the area had reported 25 malaria-related deaths. The casualties had grabbed newspaper headlines then, forcing medical teams to visit the villages.
Many quarters alleged the malaria eradication programme has been confined to only pen and paper while poor tribals face a lot of problems in availing right treatment. Malaria medicines are not available at Padmapur CHC.
As poor tribals fail to afford to the medical expenses, they and their kids die in some cases.
Local lamented that the district administration and the health department had neglected healthcare in the tribal-pockets. No health worker ever visits the remote villages, they said, demanding immediate steps to prevent the spread of the vector-borne disease. PNN
