KIDNEY AILMENT SEVERE IN NUAPADA VILLAGES

KIDNEY AILMENT SEVERE IN NUAPADA VILLAGES

Thursday, 20 November 2014 | AJIT PANDA | NUAPADA | in Bhubaneswar

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Sari Patel of Bhojpur village under Nuapada district feels she is the most unfortunate woman of the village. All the male earning members of her family have died one after another leaving the women and children helpless.

“The cause of deaths of all my sons and a grandson is kidney disease,” says Sari. The villagers of Bhojpur reveal that more than 15 deaths in the village have occurred due to kidney problem.The death of her 22- year- old grandson Nikunja occurred three months ago. Nikunja was treated for the problem of kidney in a hospital at Vishakapatnam but could not survive. Nikunja’s father Durja Patel died eight years ago.

“The doctors of Khariar Government hospital treated him for kidney problem but could not save him,” says Kalimati, mother of Nikunja. “I have seen the death of all my sons and a grandson in my eyes, why am I living such a sinful life,” asks Sari.

Dutia and Rabi, two other sons of Sari, were in their 30s, when they met the same fate before the death of Nikunja. Dutia was working as a bus driver in the State Transport department. “He was also suffering from kidney disease and undergoing treatment, when he died in an accident” says Hiradei, widow of Dutia. Mamita, daughter of Dutia, became a college dropout after her father’s death.

Rabi was treated in Ramakrishna hospital at Raipur for kidney problem but could not survive. He died a month before the death of Nikunja. “Our village has already recorded 14 such deaths in last 2 to 3 years and in all cases the cause is problem of Kidney,” say people of Bhojpur.

“Three kidney patients are now undergoing treatment,” says Laxmikant Patel, a friend of Nikunja. Laxmi and his other friends recently conducted a foot ball tournament in memory of Nikunja, who was the goal keeper of their village.

“Kidney problem in Nuapada district, especially in Khariar block, is endemic,” says Hemanta Behera of Bankapur village. “More than 200 deaths have occurred due to kidney disease in this block,” he says. It is learnt that the villages where the problem is rampant are Bankapur, Chandel, Bad Dohel, Ranipur, Khasbahal, Khamtari, Anchalpur, Narsingpur, Sargadi, Kasipala and Thakpali. Khariar town is also one of the severely affected areas.

“The main cause of the problem is drinking water. We have been drawing attention of the Government, but there is no action,” says BJP leader of Khariar Sanjay Tiwari. The Government should review the progress of various ongoing water supply projects in the district and take stern action against those officials who are delaying the completion,” he adds. The villagers of Bhojpur have demanded financial support for the families under the National Family Benefit Scheme and widow pension..