17 die of TB in tribal village of Odisha’s Keonjhar district

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Keonjhar/Telkoi, Jan 28:

The Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) has failed to reach Mundasahi village in Khuntapada panchayat under Telkoi block in Odisha’s mineral rich Keonjhar district.

While 17 persons have died untimely deaths due tuberculosis in Mundasahi village in the last three years, neither the Health department nor the district administration is aware of it as the entire village is in the grip of the dreaded disease with more than ten villagers presently afflicted with it.

While Kalia Munda (30) of Mundasahi village died on January 22, Rabi Munda, Chandra Munda, Nir Munda, Sudur Munda, Kabita Munda, Hari Munda, Nrusingha Munda, Gunu Munda, Sulei Munda, Manglu Munda, Srimati Munda, Basant Munda, Kapila Munda, Laxmi Munda, Golap Munda  and Suleo Munda have died due to dreaded tuberculosis in the last three years, said the villagers.

Presently, more than ten persons Subarna Munda (48), Rath Munda (45), Avi Munda (32), Sunia Munda (38), Markand Munda (25), Kalia Munda (58) and others are afflicted with tuberculosis and suffering waiting for their deaths, the free treatment of the government for tuberculosis patients is yet to reach them.

Local sarpanch Pani Munda, naib sarpanch Pabitra Dehury and former sarpanches have urged the collector to send a medical team to the village immediately for studying the situation in the village lest it goes out of hand.

Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr Basudev Patra, on being contacted by OST, said he had no information on Mundasahi residents being afflicted with tuberculosis.

Dr Patra however, said steps will be taken immediately to provide treatment facilities to the villagers.