Maneswar: In a chilling reminder of malnutrition deaths in Jajpur district, Mundei village under Jhankarpali panchayat of Jujumura block in Sambalpur district is reported to have been facing the same fate.
It may be recalled that malnutrition had claimed the lives of 22 tribal kids of Nagada in Jajpur district in 2016.
Most families in the village have been found to be hit by unknown diseases. Lack of treatment is pushing them into the jaws of death. In the absence of proper medical facilities, the villagers are dependent on traditional healers and local sorcerers. Another reason for locals to go to quacks is the exorbitant fees private hospitals charge.
Moreover, most of the children here are affected by malnutrition and skin ailments. For example, take the case of a 2-year-old boy Varun, son of a widow Binodini Mirda. Family members claim that due to malnutrition the boy has become vulnerable to many other diseases like fever, cough and diarrhoea throughout the year. He is bony with weak limbs.
Varun’s mother says many more children will fall under ‘malnourished’ category if tests are done on kids in the village. Lack of nutritious food provided by the government for school children is the main reason for malnutrition, locals allege.
After the death of Varun’s father, widowed Binodini was unable to provide him with better treatment because of financial constraints.
Ironically, though the government has launched several schemes for pregnant woman, newborn babies, etc. their benefits are eluding many poor villagers.
The government has launched a scheme under which officials are required to visit homes and provide nutritious food to newborns and mothers. However, people residing in rural and forest areas are yet to reap its benefits, owing to the negligent attitude of officials concerned.
Although Mundei village is located just 30km away from the district headquarters, primary education, drinking water facilities, proper road connectivity, electricity supply and a mobile network are still a distant dream.
When contacted, Jujumura child development project officer Damayanti Behera said various diseases had affected at least 68 students in the block and necessary steps were being taken for their treatment. PNN