Girl dies of malaria in Chotanagra Panchayat

Mail News Service

Chaibasa, July 27: Malaria has once again reached alarming levels in the villages of Saranda. On July 26th, two and a half-year-old Suman Hansda, daughter of Rajesh Hansda from Dharmargutu village in Chotanagra Panchayat, succumbed to the illness at Kiriburu Hospital of SAIL around 11 PM. The child was brought to the hospital in a critical state, and despite an hour of intensive efforts by doctors, including blood transfusion, she could not be saved.

The tragic incident highlights the severe lack of medical facilities in the Chotanagra area. Villagers often resort to superstitions due to the absence of proper healthcare services. The delay in transporting Suman to the hospital was exacerbated by the lack of a regular doctor or ambulance at the Chotanagra hospital, despite long-standing demands for such services from the government and public representatives.

The situation is compounded by the ongoing struggle with malaria among soldiers fighting Naxalites in Saranda and a general inaction from the health department. Malaria cases have surged across all villages in the Chotanagra area, with many residents struggling to access necessary treatment. The local Anwar Medical Store is the primary source for essential medicines, highlighting the inadequacy of formal healthcare infrastructure.

The outbreak of malaria during the rainy season in Chotanagra Panchayat has been a recurring issue, leading to numerous deaths each year. However, the health department remains unprepared to tackle this crisis effectively. Persistent issues with clean drinking water and inadequate ground-level work continue to trouble the villagers, making it clear that substantial improvements are needed in public health management and infrastructure in the region.