Death of over 100 children in Muzaffarpur due to Encephalitis is very shocking: IDPD

Ludhiana, June 18, 2019: Death of over 100 children in Muzaffarpur due to Encephalitis is very shocking. A timely action could have prevented such a big catastrophe. The children come from low income group families and are poorly nourished which becomes cause of lowering of immunity. For the last about 25 years such epidemics occur in the area off and on but no specific measures have been taken. It is with deep anguish to note that the announcements made in 2014 about improving the infrastructure in health facilities in the district have still not been met with even after 5 years. There is serious lack of infrastructure. The number of doctors in less than 25% of the required. Similar is the situation of the paramedical staff. The technical facilities are also in extreme shortage. This is a reflection of total apathy on the part of central and state governments towards the poor people of the region known for such epidemics. In a statement Dr S S Soodan President, Dr Shakeel Ur Rahman – General Secretary and Dr Arun Mitra – Senior Vice President of the Indian Doctors for Peace and Development (IDPD) demanded immediate measures to save the lives of all those who are still ill. This should be declared as a calamity and emergency situation. The central government should send immediate financial/medical aid for speedy action. Effective measures be taken to develop long term strategy to prevent such happenings in any part of the country. They also demanded special investigative procedures (including autopsy if required) to reach the causes of such events repeatedly. The government should immediately increase the public spending on health to 3% and subsequently to 6%.