Khunta, June 1: An 8-year-old son of a poor tribal couple was affected by Japanese encephalitis (JE) in Khunta area of Mayurbhanj district. The boy was identified as Dipak Singh, son of Saheb Singh of Kuamara village.
As the poor parents are unable to pay for his medical bills, they have brought him from SCB Medical College and Hospital Cuttack to their house. The minor boy is battling for life in his house without any help from any quarters.
The helpless state of the boy has raised a question mark on the state government’s claim that it is providing free healthcare to poor and backward communities.
Panick has gripped people in the village. They apprehend that the disease will spread its tentacles unless preventive measures are taken forthwith.
Saheb Singh and her family used to work in a brick kiln in Badashi area. About 15 days ago, his son Dipak was down with fever and it did not subside.
He was first admitted to Badashi CHC and later admitted to the district headquarters hospital in Baripada where doctors referred him to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The boy was diagnosed with Japanese encephalitis. Doctors told his parents that their son needed higher medical treatment. Thereafter, Singh expressed inability to afford his medical cost and immediately took back his son from Cuttack.
The SCB authorities had informed the Khunta CHC authorities about the JE case in the area.
Following this, a medical team along with medical officer of Khunta CHC Kushal Hansda, PHM Naresh Das and BPM Anubhab Patnaik visited the house of Singh and checked the health of Dipak. The medical team advised Singh to admit his son to the hospital.
However, the poor couple, who work as daily wagers, did not agree to take their son to the hospital as they were unable to pay the medical bills.
Locals said when the government has been providing free healthcare and help to the poor, the JE-hit poor boy should be provided immediate help.
The block administration initiated an awareness campaign about JE in the village. Health officials were asked to collect blood samples from all families in the village.
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