Claiming that the number of deaths due to Japanese Encephalitis is really more than the Government figure in Malkangiri, the BJP on Sunday alleged that the Government did not opt for immunisation though the deadly virus was noticed in 2011 in the tribals-dominated district for the first time.
“Actually, 75 children have so far died due to the vector-borne disease against the Government’s figure of 43. Though the disease had first surfaced in 2011, the Government did not act proactively, resulting in the current situation. Didn’t the Government find any suitable period to immunise tribal children in last five yearsIJ” questioned party leader Surama Padhi at a news conference here.
Padhi was part of a six-member delegation to Malkangiri to take stock of the situation.
Maintaining that Malkangiri district lacks the required number of doctors and health activists, Padhi said only seven doctors are working at the Malkangiri DHH against the sanctioned 33 while 52 are working against the sanctioned 115 posts for the whole district.
She decried the State Government’s attempt in passing the buck to Centre and said no preventive measures have been taken by the Naveen Patnaik Government to contain the disease either in 2011 or this time.
She also rejected the Government’s claim of isolation of infected pigs from human habitats.
“Due to lack of coordination between the Animal Husbandry and Forests Departments, isolation of infected pigs is yet to materialise. locals on their own keep their pigs away from their habitats and even beat the animals to death,” said Padhi.
Other members of fact-finding team were also present at the Press meet.
The team would submit its report to the State and Central party leaderships soon.