By Mudassir Rizwan, TwoCircles.net,
Patna: Full 25 days and the Bihar government assisted by the three wings of the Indian Army is yet to reach hundreds of marooned villages while lakhs of those who could reach relief camps are now facing epidemics.
Like other natural disasters, post-Kosi River flood, hundreds of people are suffering from diarrhea, cholera and other diseases in relief camps and the government is yet to provide sufficient medical assistance and medicines to the affected people, said health officials and doctors deputed at relief camps to TwoCircles.net.
Talking to TCN Hasibur Rahman, Saraigarh block Health Manager in Supaul said, “I don’t have any idea about how much aid has been given by the government, we didn’t get much facility.”
He, however, admitted that the government has provided two ambulances and provide medical aid on call. “We are also getting anti-bacteria chemicals sprayed.
Dr Vinod Kumar Paswan, a Medical Officer from Supaul, told TCN that flood-affected people are now having flood diseases like dysentery, diarrhea, cough, fever, stomach pain, etc.
Against the requirements of medical assistance to flood victims, supply is very limited and insufficient. Though the government has provided some ambulances but the medical personnel are facing problem in reaching the villages still trapped in water.
“We are facing a lot of trouble in reaching those places, yet we are going there at our risk as the government has not provided much facilities and security to us.”
TCN asked Wasi Ahmed, a medical officer in Purnia, about health situation there. He said there is a fear of break out of epidemics. Skin disease besides diarrhea is the major problem.
He told TCN about Aman, an NGO which is playing a great role in providing medical assistance to the affected people.
Aman has sent a team of doctors there and has urged All India Medical Laboratory Technologist Association to extend help to the NGO. Aman has already allotted Rs 500,000 of which Rs 1,50,000 is for medical help.
The NGO is paying doctors attending its relief camps Rs 200 per day. There are 1305 affected people in Aman’s camp where majority is of Muslims. They include 503 women, 219 boys and 173 girls. The NGO is also providing them with clothes, food and milk to the children.
They are also arranging for Iftar and Sehri.
Link:
http://www.twocircles.net/2008sep04/bihar_flood_organizations_collecting_funds_relief.html