AP Government submits report on tribal deaths in Visakhapatnam, says precaution and medical care taken
New Delhi, 30 June 2005
Deeply concerned by a report carried in a newspaper alleging deaths of hundreds of tribals in Visakhapatnam due to unknown factors and lack of medical facilities, the Commission taking suo-motu cognizance had sought the comments of the Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh.
The news report, which appeared in the Telugu daily 'Enadu' on 24 June 2004, had alleged that about 476 people had died over a three-month period. These deaths, it stated, had taken place despite the State Government setting up health camps. The news story drew attention to the poor medical facilities in the Agency area like lack of medicines, first-aid treatment and posts of doctors lying vacant. The people living in the area, it reported, lacked nutritious food with the problem increasing during the rainy season. It also alleged no serious efforts have been made to eradicate Malaria, which is endemic in the area.
In response, a report was received from the State Government of Andhra Pradesh from the Department of Home forwarding a report from the Principal Secretary, Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh
The report refuted the charges that appeared in the newspaper. It outlined the measures the State Government had taken to control malaria especially after the issue was highlighted in the media.
Regarding vacancies in the post of medical officers in the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the tribal area it stated substitute arrangements were made. It also informed the Commission that Integrated Child Development Scheme is being implemented in the tribal area of Visakhapatnam district under which children, antenatal and nursing women are given food supplements for improving their nutritional states. It denied the allegation that there was confusion among the Government officials of Medical and Health Department about the causes of deaths. It also provided the figures of deaths that took place and the position of cases of fever in the year 2004 vis-a-vis the previous year.
Taking note of the report the Commission expressed hope that Government of Andhra Pradesh continue to take measures for providing medicare and to improve the health status of the tribal. It stated it expects that the state should take all such measures as are available to it, to prevent death of the tribals due to causes mentioned in the news report.
It has also pointed out that continuous monitoring of the facilities available in the sub-centres and PHCs particularly in the tribal areas would be useful.
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Deeply concerned by a report carried in a newspaper alleging deaths of hundreds of tribals in Visakhapatnam due to unknown factors and lack of medical facilities, the Commission taking suo-motu cognizance had sought the comments of the Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh.
The news report, which appeared in the Telugu daily 'Enadu' on 24 June 2004, had alleged that about 476 people had died over a three-month period. These deaths, it stated, had taken place despite the State Government setting up health camps. The news story drew attention to the poor medical facilities in the Agency area like lack of medicines, first-aid treatment and posts of doctors lying vacant. The people living in the area, it reported, lacked nutritious food with the problem increasing during the rainy season. It also alleged no serious efforts have been made to eradicate Malaria, which is endemic in the area.
In response, a report was received from the State Government of Andhra Pradesh from the Department of Home forwarding a report from the Principal Secretary, Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh
The report refuted the charges that appeared in the newspaper. It outlined the measures the State Government had taken to control malaria especially after the issue was highlighted in the media.
Regarding vacancies in the post of medical officers in the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in the tribal area it stated substitute arrangements were made. It also informed the Commission that Integrated Child Development Scheme is being implemented in the tribal area of Visakhapatnam district under which children, antenatal and nursing women are given food supplements for improving their nutritional states. It denied the allegation that there was confusion among the Government officials of Medical and Health Department about the causes of deaths. It also provided the figures of deaths that took place and the position of cases of fever in the year 2004 vis-a-vis the previous year.
Taking note of the report the Commission expressed hope that Government of Andhra Pradesh continue to take measures for providing medicare and to improve the health status of the tribal. It stated it expects that the state should take all such measures as are available to it, to prevent death of the tribals due to causes mentioned in the news report.
It has also pointed out that continuous monitoring of the facilities available in the sub-centres and PHCs particularly in the tribal areas would be useful.
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