Remuna block of the district while is severely affected by the fluorosis due to high content of fluoride in ground water, a four-year action plan has been prepared to combat the menace.
In this regard, a meeting was organised which was attended by the local MP RK Jena, district Collector Ramesh Chandra Rout, CDMO Bibekananda Das and representatives of OXFAM Vimal Pandia, Water Aid , Bikash Pati and Tata Trust Upendra Palai.
The action plan prepared in consultation with India Natural Resource Economic Management (INREM) Foundation, a Gujarat-based voluntary organisation would be implemented by the line departments mainly through the Health , RWSS, Social Welfare and Education , said district coordinator of INREM Ghanshyam Sheet.
“Presence of fluoride content in the water of at least 7 GPs of Remuna is more than the permissible limits of World Health Organization. While the limit is 1.5 PPM in Remuna, it is between 3 and 19 PPM in three GPs such as Patripal, Chasakhand and Gududa. A concerted effort is required to combat the menace, said MP Jena.
Following an in-depth study, the committee, said the area should be sanitised. Besides, it recommended that those affected with the fluorosis and became physically disabled should be included under the social security scheme.
Special focus for regular checkups of students and pregnant women for dental fluorosis and iron deficiencies should be given. They would be supplemented with nutritional food to combat calcium and iron deficiencies
“The district Social Welfare Officer would identify the affected by the fluoride and include them in the social security scheme,” said Collector Rout.
The INREM found a solution to the menace with the locally grown plants and vegetables. Consumption of locally grown Moringa leaves ,spinach and sesame consumption can be a great help, it observed , adding a chapter should be included in the class VI –VII about fluorosis to enhance awareness among them.