Two girls die of jaundice in residential school for tribals

Two girl students died and 24 other inmates were suffering from jaundice at a state run residential school for tribal and dalit girls in Kandhamal district.

Kanchan Digal of class 6 and Amisha Kanhar of class 7 died of jaundice on August 3 at Lingagarh Girls High School under G. Udayagiri block of Kandhamal. Their relatives alleged that the girls died due to lack of proper treatment.

Krupabar Digal one of the relative of Kanchan alleged that she was not properly treated due to the carelessness of the institutional head.

Odisha's SC, ST, Minority and OBC Development Minister Ramesh Chandra Mahi expressed deep concern over the death of two girls while reviewing the activities of his department in Kandhamal today.
 

Majhi directed the district authorities as well as all department officials to remain vigil for the health and hygiene of the SC and ST students. He appealed to the officials concerned to ensure regular health checkup, immediate health assistances to the ailing students, supply of balanced diets and maintain hygiene in priority basis.

Manaranjan Panigrahy, the Block Welfare Extension Officer, G.Udayagiri said: "Both the affected inmates had died at their respective houses as they were taken by their parents from hostel for better treatment."

Ganeswar Bharimalla, the District Welfare Officer when contacted said, "We have taken all health measures for the treatment and maintained hygiene in the school as well as in hostel. Inmates are being supplied with safe drinking water through aquaguard system. Still the water was said to be contaminated. The water sample was sent for examination."

Soon after the outbreak of this water born disease, parents have taken back their wards from the hostel for better treatment to different hospitals. Rest 355 girls are now staying in the hostel with out any fear and panic, Bharimalla said.

Head master of the school Sanjeeb Nayak said: "during last five days we have sent 48 suspected students to the PHC, G. Udayagiri for health examination and it was found that, 24 inmates were affected with jaundice. They are being treated out side while staying in their respective houses.