Even as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik claimed that his Government is in touch with the Centre and efforts are on to stop the spread of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) in Malkangiri, three more children died on Saturday due to the deadly virus, taking the toll to 44 in last 30 days in the district.
While two girls Rupa Padiami (2) of Palakonda village under Korkonda block and Jema Malali (2) of Panighata died at the Malkangiri District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), a 15-month-old baby boy of Koimetla village died on his way to the hospital, sources said.
More than 60 children are now undergoing treatment at the DHH out of which the conditions of four were stated to be critical and were shifted to ICU, the sources added.
Meanwhile, after widespread criticism for dearth of doctors at the Malkangiri DHH, the State Government deputed nine doctors, including four paediatricians, to look after the patients. Apart from this, doctors have been engaged at the Kalimela Community Health Centre (CHC). More staff nurses were also rushed to assist the doctors.
The doctors at the DHH are present 24X7 to provide treatment to the patients.
After chairing a high-level meeting with department Secretary Arti Ahuja and National Health Mission (NHM) Managing Director Shalini Pandit, Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said the top priority of his department is to expedite the treatment of the affected patients at the Malkangiri DHH.
He said as per the reports, treatment of 116 JE and suspected JE patients was underway in Malkangiri of which 25 have completely recovered and discharged from the hospital so far.
On the suspected outbreak of JE in Nilagiri in Baleswar district and Brahmagiri in Puri, Nayak said he has sought status reports from the respective district health officials.
Shalini Pandit said a State-level control room having six members has already been set up from where three members, including herself, are monitoring the entire work while three other members, Health Services Director, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) Joint Director and Health Joint Secretary, have gone to Malkangiri and are providing day-to-day information to the control room.
She further said considering that more patients are being admitted at the DHH, provisions have been made to add 40 more beds.
Asked about the number of JE deaths in Malkangiri, she said till date 39 patients have died officially.
Meanwhile, talking to reporters after reaching New Delhi, Chief Minister Patnaik on Saturday evening said the State Government is in constant touch with the Centre to bring the disease under control.