Unidentified kidney disease in Odisha

For a remote village of Alagpur in Nayagarh district, in the state of Odisha, a kidney disease has become a major threat to the lives of the inhabitants. Surprisingly, nobody including the health department has any idea of the real cause behind the disease. 

 

During last five months 6 people have lost their lives to the rare kidney disease. Although many patients are also undergoing treatment, the village is surrounded by apprehensions. 

 

According to a local Sarpanch Kshetrabasi Sahoo, “it is very difficult for us to bear the cost of treatment which compels us to sell our parental property. Still no improvements have been observed in the health of the patients.” “The government should provide monetary assistance for treatment of our people. More people may lose their lives to the incapacitating disease if the state continues its neglect.” told Mr. Sahoo.

 

The diagnosis report elucidates the preliminary symptom before falling ill with the kidney disease is the dryness of feet and faces of the people. Upon requisite medical tests, they may opt for treatment of kidney disease.

 

Among who succumbed to the disease, Pabitra Sahu (50), Bihari Mahananda (40) and Srimati Mirdha (14), daughter of Narayan Mirdha have died in the same month with two other people of Dhaunrabad. Unfortunately, the patients are compelled to sell their land for the treatment. 

 

The real cause behind the disease is yet to be known although the water quality of the locality is under scrutiny. According to Executive Engineer, District Water & Sanitation Mission, Manohar Naik, “we have examined tube-wells of both villages. Water in one of the wells is not potable.”

 

District Health Officer Dr. Bikrant Kindo said, “we can provide an amount up to Rs.30,000 to patient according to the facilities provided by State health department. We are making arrangements for it. We are trying to provide them other amenities with the health test.”

 

However, the effort if not sufficient enough to redress such a serious situation in the village where people by and large have been suffering heavily.