Hepatitis B patient ostracized from village in Odisha

Kendrapara: Despite awareness programmes and campaigns, a person infected with Hepatitis B virus was ostracized by the locals from the village in the district.

The victim Prabhakar Pradhan, a resident of Atal village under Aali Block in the coastal district Kendrapara, is now staying at his brother’s home following social restrictions imposed on him at the village.

According to reports, Prabhakar (50) was working in Kolkata for livelihoods. He left the city and came back home two years ago after he fell sick. He underwent treatment at Primary Health Centre in Aali and then at district hospital.

After his disease was not cured following treatment, he consulted the doctors at the SCB Medical College & Hospital. During the treatment, his wife left him and went to her father’s house.

Suspecting Prabhakar to have been suffering from an unknown disease, the villagers banned him from using the pond and tube well.

However, Prabhakar’s brother Kailash even after separation stood by him during his bad times and brought him to his home.

Prabhakar is infected with Hepatitis B virus, said Dr Manoj Senapati in Aali hospital adding that there should not be any social restrictions on the patient affected by this virus.