Bihar's monumental tragedy

It's heart rending to know that about 107 children have lost their lives with symptoms of acute encephalitis syndrome this season in Muzaffarpur of Bihar. This is a man-made calamity, which could have been averted, had the state acted right. The deaths are said to be due to lowered blood glucose levels in malnourished children who went to bed empty stomach after ingestion of locally grown litchis.

Still the death could have been averted if the sick child is given ten percent glucose intra venously in right time. The state failed miserably in every aspect of management, right from addressing malnutrition, spreading awareness and making the health personnel and simple drugs available to contain the further crisis.

The lesson that should be learnt by the centre and other states is one cannot ensure health to the community, with insurance based health services. The primary health centres should be strengthened with complete man power, equipment and wherewithal. The element of malnutrition and lack of protected water supply should be addressed. The budgetary outlays for public health should be increased sufficiently, lest the goal of health for all remains a chimera.

-Dr D V G Sankararao, Nellimarla