Though the State Government claims to have done much toameliorate the healthcare situation in Koraput district, Ambaguda village of Duarshuni panchayat under Dasmantpur block depicts a dismal picture where not even a single child has ever been vaccinated for polio.
About 45 tribal families live in this hamlet with a population of 225. While no Government official has ever visited the hamlet which is surrounded by hills from all sides, the villagers have never got an opportunity to learn about the Government schemes like ICDS and other programmes on health, education and electricity.
Though there are more than 50 kids in the village who should be in the schools, they are sitting at homes in the absence of a teaching facility in the vicinity. They are unaware of MDM and Right to Education (RTE) Act. Some school buildings have been constructed in the area where no student is at sight. In such schools, the officials concerned show the student strength in pen and paper to embezzle funds, villagers alleged.
When asked about healthcare services, the villagers said they have never seen any health official in the area. The residents take care of themselves when it comes to childbirth. While no one recognises the auxiliary nurse midwife appointed in the village, often people succumb to diseases as they don’t have access to medicines, it was learnt.
Rather the traditional way of medication is the only source of healthcare here, said the villagers.
As regards electricity connection, monthly bills are raised in the names of villagers though they actually don’t enjoy power connectivity. However, some utility poles are installed in the village and meter boxes have been installed in some houses. But electricity wires are yet to be connected in the village. It is baffling as to how the department raises bills without providing power connection to houses, said Shekhar Jani, Ram Muduli, Kalia Majhi and several others of the village.
The villagers have threatened to resort to drastic measures if the administration keeps neglecting them.
When contacted, BDO Sukanta Majhi assured that he would pay a visit to the village to take stock of the situation.