MALKANGIRI: Malnutrition, Malaria and Maoists are the three curses befalling Motu region here, bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chhatt..
MALKANGIRI: Malnutrition, Malaria and Maoists are the three curses befalling Motu region here, bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
Even as there is a primary health centre (PHC) in Motu village, there is no doctor to man the centre. The PHC instead is being run by a pharmacist.Sources said Maoist violence in the area has cast a shadow on medical services. Although the ultras have not attacked any health officials, yet the medicos are reluctant to work in the area due to security concerns. Sources said health staff at the PHC do not respond to calls after 6 pm.
The area being 100 km away from the district headquarters town of Malkangiri, villagers opt to take a risky boat ride to the neighbouring states through Saveri river in times of emergency. They do not opt for road communication fearing the Maoists. Chief District Medical Officer Ch Pravakar Rao said, "We have been writing to the State Government to fill up the vacancies in the PHC, but to no avail," he said, adding that mobile health units would soon be provided in the area.Four children have succumbed to an unknown disease in Siadimal and Sindhiguda areas under Malkangiri block since September 1. The four deceased have been identified as threeyearold Rina Madkami, fouryearold Muka Sidi, twoyearold Lakma Madkami and twoyearold Paro Podiami. Chief District Medical Officer Pravakar Rao, however, puts the death toll at three.Three more children and a woman were admitted to the district headquarters hospital on Saturday with fever.The unknown disease had claimed nine lives in the two villages in 2009, but the administration is yet to take steps to avert the reoccurrence of the epidemic.
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