Doctors sent to cholera-hit Orissa district

BHUBANESWAR - Orissa Monday sent 30 more doctors to the tribal district of Rayagada to tackle cholera and other water borne diseases that have claimed 39 lives since August.

“We have sent 30 more doctors and 40 para-medical staff to the affected areas,” a state health official told IANS.

State Health Minister Prasanna Acharya and Health Secretary Anu Garg will visit the district to assess the situation, he said.

A unit of the Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) consisting of eight personnel was pressed into service Monday to bring patients from inaccessible areas, District Collector N.B. Jawala told IANS.

“Health officials are facing difficulty in reaching more then 20 villages under the Gudari block area because of a river. We have asked the ODRAF to reach the villages with power boats,” Jawala said.

“At least 660 patients from 102 villages have been treated over the few past weeks. We are taking all steps to bring the situation under control,” he said, adding that around 50 new patients are undergoing treatment in various health camps and hospitals in the region every day.

“We are struggling to prevent the disease from spreading. But the patients do not come to the hospital for treatment,” a doctor said.

The state government last week announced an incentive of Rs.100 for those bringing a patient to government hospital and Rs.200 if anybody brings a patient at night.

The government has also decided to provide one ‘dhoti’ (traditional wear) and a bar of soap to each male patients and a saree and a bar soap to each of the female patients.