Re: Andhra Pradesh: 2 kids die of "viral fever", toll 100 in the past month
Re: Andhra Pradesh: 2 kids die of "viral fever", toll 100 in the past month
Kids dying of viral fever in Kurnool District in Andhra Pradesh : NCPCR writes to the State Government
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has drawn the attention of the AP State Government to a report of the New Indian Express dated 14 October, 2011 in the above cited subject. It has been mentioned in the report that ?two more children died of viral fevers while receiving treatment at the Government General Hospital on Thursday, taking the toll to more than 100 in the District in the past one month. Suffering from viral diseases ranging from dengue and malaria to chikungunya, at least 25 persons have died in the district headquarters. While doctors claim that these deaths were suspected cases of viral fevers and point out that there is no medical evidence, the parents of victims believe that their children have died due to dengue and other deadly viral fevers. The cases are rampant in areas in and around Adoni, Yemmiganur, Srisailam, Nandikotkur, Pattikonda, Aluru, Kodumuru, Banaganapalle and mantralayam. Private doctors suspect that these cases are increasing due to seasonal climatic changes, unhygienic surrounds and also pollution of drinking water, while people blame officials for the causes. Despite the increasing number of cases, the district medical and health authorities have failed to conduct medical or awareness camps in the district.?
The Commission has taken cognizance of the above matter stating that it amounts to violation of ?children?s right to life, survival, health and development?, which need to be protected under Article 6 of the UN Convention in the Rights of the Child (ratified by India on 11.12.1992), Article 21 of the Constitution of India and Section 2(b) of CPCR Act, 2005.
The Commission has desired the State Government to do the following:
(i) The total number of cases of children who have died at Government General Hospital, Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) and Health Sub-Centres in Kurnool District during last 03 months (Hospital/PHC/Sub-Centre ? wise);
(ii) The existing mechanism for review of the health calamities in the District of Kurnool?
(iii) Whether the State Government was in the knowledge of the epidemic through its own departmental functionaries at the District/PHC level? Was this issue brought to the notice of the State Government by the concerned district Authorities. If yes, share the reports?
(iv) The actions taken by the concerned Departments at the State level, especially, by the Department of Health as well as Water and Sanitation to prevent dengue/chikungunya/viral fever;
(v) The emergency/immediate corrective measures being taken up now by the State Government and District Administration of Kurnool to address the problem?
(vi) The support (in terms of adequate doctors, nurses and other para medical functionaries, diagnostic facilities, medicines, indoor treatment facilities, etc) as well as guidelines/instructions given (if any) to the Hospitals/PHCs/Sub-Centres by the Health Department to protect children from dengue, chikungunya and viral fever/diseases;
(vii) Whether the existing Public Health System (PHS) in the District is adequate to cope with the calamity? If not, what measures have been contemplated for revamping the PHS?
(viii) The steps taken by the State Government to improve the water and sanitation conditions in the affected areas in the wake of the health calamities such as dengue, chikungunya and viral fever;
The State Government has been asked to furnish an initial Action Taken Report (ATR) in the above matter within 15 days.
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DK/BS
(Release ID :76815)
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=76815
