Two Sisters Die of Cerebral Malaria In Four Days, Father Left Shattered  

 Jamshedpur: A heart-rending tragedy has unfolded in Kandar village under Harina Panchayat, in West Singhbhum, where two young sisters lost their lives to cerebral malaria within a span of four days, exposing the continuing vulnerability of malaria-prone villages and raising concerns over preventive healthcare measures.

The latest victim, one-year-old Khushbu Sardar, died on Monday morning at MGM Hospital after battling cerebral malaria for four days. Just days earlier, her eight-year-old sister, Subola Sardar, had also succumbed to the same disease, leaving their family devastated.

The twin tragedy has plunged the household of Mahavir Sardar into unimaginable grief. Adding to the family’s ordeal, their third daughter is now reportedly suffering from a high fever, intensifying fears of another medical emergency.

Struggling with extreme poverty, Mahavir Sardar now faces the painful dilemma of arranging the last rites for his younger daughter or seeking urgent treatment for his ailing child. The loss has left the family emotionally and financially shattered.

“I have lost two daughters in four days. I don’t know what to do anymore. I have neither the strength nor the money left to take my third daughter to the hospital. All I have now are tears,” the grieving father said.

Kandar village has long been identified as a malaria-prone area, with cases of cerebral malaria reported almost every year. Residents alleged that preventive measures have been inadequate, claiming that mosquito nets have not been distributed regularly and bleaching powder has not been sprayed around drinking water sources, increasing the risk of mosquito-borne infections.

Responding to the incident, Dr. Rajni Mahakund, in-charge of the Community Health Centre (CHC), said health teams have been continuously screening residents for cerebral malaria in Kandar village. She stated that the situation is currently under control and that the Health Department remains on high alert.

According to Dr. Mahakund, regular surveillance, screening camps and awareness drives are being conducted to educate villagers about malaria prevention and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

The deaths of the two sisters have once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger disease surveillance, timely healthcare access and effective preventive measures in malaria-endemic regions. As grief engulfs Kandar village, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the heavy human cost that preventable diseases can still exact on vulnerable communities.