A large number of people are suffering from kidney disease in Sunapali,Khajuriapali and Sarasdadar villages of Kotsamlei gram panchayat under Birmaharajpur block, 15 km from the district headquarters town here, due to lack of awareness and clean drinking water. The disease has hit as many as12 villages.
Kotsamlei GP has a population of about 700 of which 85 per cent belong to BPl category. They depend on eight tube wells for their water consumption. As per reports of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) department, out of these tube wells, three, the ones at the village entrance, in the middle and near the pond dispense water containing iron.
However, either due to lack of awareness or non-availability of alternative, some are still using the iron-laced water.
Eight persons who died include Sudhansu Mahakur (10), Jayakrushna Bhoi (24), Gopa Bhoi (40), Dillip Thapa (30), Kilu Bhoi (55), Nira Bhoi (50), Siba Mahakur (53) and lata Mahakur (40) of Sunapali village.
Besides, the affected ones are not getting proper treatment in the Sonepur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) due to lack of specialists. So, a few have gone to VIMSAR, Burla, for treatment.
But there are still many others who cannot afford to go outside and the administration is yet to come to their rescue. The families of the persons who died of the disease did not get any Government assistance either, it is alleged. Although the disease is spreading fast, but the District Health Department is still silent.
Meanwhile, the locals demanded free health check- up and treatment, besides financial assistance to the kin of the deceased.