Bhubaneswar: After the tragic death of two women in Mandipanka village under Gadapur panchayat of Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district on October 30th, the district administration and Health Department officials investigated the cause of the incident.
According to an official press release, the report has revealed that the infected and deceased had consumed ‘pakhaal’ (fermented rice) and mango kernel gruel as their regular diet. They fell ill due to food poisoning and two of them died while undergoing treatment.
After the incident came to the notice of the government, a medical team and the officials of the district administration reached the Mandiapanka village on the morning of November 1 and conducted a thorough investigation and assessment taking into account all aspects.
All the sick persons were immediately shifted to Brahmanigaon Primary Health Center and later to MKCG Medical College & Hospital at Berhampur and started treatment immediately. Ramita Patmajhi and Runu Majhi died while undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College & Hospital. Currently, six other victims are undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College & Hospital in Berhampur. They are being provided with best of the treatment.
It is worth mentioning that all 69 families of this village, including the affected families, are getting rice under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). According to the report, everyone in the village including the family of the deceased has received rice from July to September.
It is reported that they had picked the rice provided by the government for the months of October, November and December in September. All retailers have been given clear instructions to provide rice to the beneficiaries.
Apart from this, the affected families have already been provided with patta of forest land. While an Anganwadi Centre is functioning in Mandipanka village, ASHA workers and Child Development Project Officers regularly visit the village to educate people about health.
Residents of the village, Savitri Pradhan and Meenakshi Baliarsingh, have revealed that they regularly get rice under the NFSA.
In order to prevent such incidents from happening in the future, through information, education and communication campaigns, awareness programs are being conducted in various villages by the Anganwadi workers and health teams in the area.
Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Kandhamal has informed that awareness campaigns are being conducted by self help groups and panchayat representatives to ensure that people maintain hygiene and eat healthy food.
