Mystery disease playing havoc with tribals’ lives

Utnoor: Many Adivasis living in Bheemuguda, which is a stone’s throw away distance from Utnoor, are suffering from mysterious disease. In the village inhabited by about 50 families, several Adivasis including Atram Manku, Badi Rao and Ramu, are suffering from the disease.

Since four months, Manku has been suffering from the disease and complained about one of the legs appears as though it was burnt, while the other leg has been swollen. He complained of severe pain as though someone is pulling his legs. Afterwards, he stopped walking.

Though he was treated at the primary health center at Dantanpalli, there was no improvement in his condition. Flesh is coming apart on this right leg, which has had an appearance of being burnt. The leg is becoming thin. In sharp contrast, the left leg was swollen making it difficult for him to walk.

He was taken to the RIMS hospital, where doctors prescribed him some medicines. But, there was no let up in the pain. His daughter Anasuya is also suffering from pain in fingers. He is suspecting that those who were inimical to his family subjected them to some witchcraft.

There are many welfare schemes introduced by the state and central governments for the senior citizens. It was three decades ago the Integrated Tribal Development Authority came into being.

Health security appears to be a distant dream for the Adivasis. In many Adivasi villages, several people are suspected to have died of mysterious diseases. These Adivasis have been appealing to the authorities to save them from their superstitions and provide better medical care to them.

By Madaavi Manik Rao