Orissa doubles cash incentive for getting cholera patients to hospitals

Orissa yesterday announced a doubling of the cash incentive to people who get patients to hospital in cholera-hit districts of Kalahandi-Bolangir-Koraput even as 10 more people succumbed to diarrhoea the past two days in Rayagada.

The diarrhea contagion has taken a toll of 94 people in the state so far with 45 deaths in Rayagada, , 27 in Nuapada, 10 in Nabrangpur, 8 in Malkangiri and 4 in Kalahandi since August. According to Health Department the cholera outbreak may claim more lives.

Swabs from eight patients have confirmed the presence of a virulent form of Vibrio Cholerae bacterium. The results of the tests by the Bhubaneswar-based Regional Medical Research Centre have led to a panic situation even as the eight persons diagnosed with the disease are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.

According to health secretary Anu Garg, the government had announced Rs100 for informants, and a saree or a dhoti and soaps to cholera or diarrhoea patients who come to hospitals. Now, the government will give Rs200 to people who bring patients at night as some of the deaths occured in the early morning hours and sarees and dhotis would be given to patients as the ones they wear are usually soiled she added.

As diarrhea and cholera spread mainly through contaminated water steps are being taken in the affected KBK region to treat water sources including springs and ditches which the tribal population uses its potable water needs. In all 102 villages in Kashipur, Kalyansinghpur and Bissam Katak blocks of Rayagada have been hit by diarrhoea and cholera. Temporary medical camps are being set up to treat the patients and provide them some relief.

Meawhile, according to health departmentment deputy director Bikash Patnaik, the contagion has spread to seven more villages - five in Bissamcuttack and two in Kashipur area - taking the total number of villages affected in the district to 86 since August. He was speaking to IANS news agency.