The Pioneer, Dec 1, 2011
Even as unidentified diseases make inhabitants disabled in Chahaka village of Golamunda block in Kalahandi, the district administration is yet to take the necessary steps to provide the much needed treatment. At present, there are around 30 persons suffering from various kinds of disability, where as the village has a population of 600.
Sources said the village is electrified, has four tube wells and a school but the residents are still unaware of the reason that creates disability among the inhabitants for last 25 years. Though the implementation of several State and Central schemes have been quite successful in the village but communication and health problems are still not taken care of by the authorities.
Reports said that people of all age groups, from kids, young boys and girls to old men and women, in the village are victims of various kinds of disabilities. The kids suffer from dumbness, blindness, deafness and complete disability before birth or after two to five years of birth.
The village is situated 40 km from Bhawanipatna and commuters cross the Tel river through a country boat after loading bikes, cycles, and luggage on it from Pandigaon ghat.
Golamunda Zilla Parishad member Samanta Khamari said he had brought the matter before many Zilla Parishad meetings at Bhawanipatna but the administration did not take steps to know the exact reason of the disability.
“A doctor has been appointed in the primary health centre at Uchhala GP which covers the residents of five GPs including Chahaka village.
But the doctor remains absent most of the time and hence, the patients are not able to get proper treatment. They have to cross the Tel river to reach Bhawanipatna hospital,” Khamari lamented.
Kesab Pujhari, a disabled youth, said,” My parents say I was healthy when I was two years’ old but after that, I became disabled.”
When asked whether polio vaccine had been given, Pujhari said: “Exactly I can’t say but you will find so many disabled persons in Chahaka village, with same problem.”
Durbal Patel, another villager, said,” I was able to walk up to the age of five years, but afterwards, I became disabled. In our village, around 25 men and women have been affected by disability.”
A 10-year-old girl’s mother said she has been disabled since her birth. She was given polio vaccine, but to no avail. A doctor said she had been suffering from polio and could not be treated anymore, she rued.
Another polio patient said,” Since childhood I have been disabled but I have not been provided tricycle though I get pension of `200.”
Daitari, a villager said, “Generally, we cross the Tel river for health check up either at a Bhawanipatna hospital or at PHC at Uchhala Gram Panchayat. During flood, patients can not cross the river and die when they become serious.” Bhupi said during election hours, leaders visit the people and after that they forget their woes. Dinesh Bag said his villagers have to undergo many difficulties due to the communication problem posed by the Telriver. He said a bridge over the river is the need of the hour.
ADMO Ashok Kumar Mund said a medical team will be sent and after receiving the report, he will confirm the reason behind the disability.
District Collector of Kalahandi told The Pioneer he will look into the matter after sending an enquiry team to the village.
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