Malnutrition continues to haunt Nagada village in the Sukinda area of Jajpur district as more than 10 children are reportedly suffering from various diseases caused by undernourishment in the village now.
Sources said the village, which lost at least 19 children in 2016 due to malnutrition, is still having the malnutrition problem as residents have not quit their old food habits.
It was alleged that a four-month-old son of Brahma Pradhan died recently due to malnutrition and malaria.
Residents, who belong to the Juang tribal community, have alleged that doctors, who are visiting Nagada every Wednesday, have failed to identify diseases. Besides, they complained that the administration is yet supply adequate nutritious food and drinking water for children and pregnant women.
It is pertinent to note here that Women and Child Development Minister Prafulla Samal had recently stated that people in Nagada were not aware of healthcare and nutrition till date.“We are trying to raise awareness among them. The department has taken all steps so that the Nagada incident will not be repeated,” Samal had said.
Former Finance Minister Prafulla Chandra Ghadai said awareness drives have been taken up in Nagada and there have been significant changes in the people’s food habits and sense of cleanliness. Things would improve in coming days, he said.Jajpur district Collector Ranjan Kumar Das said a team of doctors from Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are camping in the village now.
“We are planning to set up a 24X7 Medical Research Centre (MRC) in the area in coming days,” said the Collector.
Death of 19 children due to alleged malnutrition in Nagada had shocked the whole country last year. Though roads have been constructed and officials are visiting the place regularly, yet the picture remains unchanged, said many.
According to them, Juanga tribals still prefer to lead their primitive lifestyle and are yet to accept Government schemes for better and quality life. Women of the community adopt traditional delivery practices at home instead of going for institutional delivery.
Besides, the inhabitants stay away from regular vaccination programmes and sleep in the open instead of using a mosquito net, which is responsible for most of their health problems.
The tribals have even refused to use water filters and chose to drink water collected from a creeks and nullahs, which give rise to water-borne and other diseases. The practice of child marriage is also rampant in the hilltop villages as the villagers marry off their children at a tender age.