TEZPUR, May 18 � The State Health Department may claim to have achieved cent per cent success in the health sector, but with malaria, jaundice, viral fever and diarrhoea taking epidemic form in most parts of Sonitpur district, it can be stated that medical facilities are still a far cry even in Tezpur, its outskirts and some remote areas of the district such as the northern parts in the Assam-Arunachal border, Dhekiajuli, Rangapara, Balijuri, Chardwar, Bhalukpung, Bihali, Pabhoi, Balishang, Tinshuti and Gohpur.
A report from the office of the Joint Director of Health, Sonitpur district, said that the effect of malaria, jaundice, viral fever and diarrhoea was presently under control. On the contrary, 80 pc patients admitted in Tezpur Kanaklata Civil Hospital are suffering from malaria, jaundice, viral fever and diarrhoea.
As these diseases occur mostly due to the water contamination, eradication measures have been taken under PHE department through total sanitation programme, safe drinking water, etc, expending crores of government fund. However, there have been allegations that due to improper execution and lackasidical attitude of the department concerned, these public interest programmes fail to reach the people. It is worth mentioning that under Dhekiajuli and Tezpur division of PHE department, many water supply schemes have been completed but it is a fact that most of them are yet to start functioning.
Moreover, it may further be stated that Tezpur Panchmile and many areas of tea garden of Dhekiajuli town, alongwith the most of the northern parts of Sonitpur district starting from Gohpur to Dhekiajuli comprising Rangapara, Balijuri, Chardwar, Bhalukpung, Behali, Pabhoi, Balishang, Tinkhuti etc have been malaria and diarrhoea-prone for the last few years, where the departmental measures are yet to yield results.
In this regard, while contacted, Madan Basumatary, central executive of ABSU, hailing from Tharaibari area along the Assam-Arunachal border under Chardwar PS in Sonitpur, expressing annoyance over the health department�s role said that every year many people in the greater area suffer from the problem but the department concerned has not taken adequate measures for eradicating the same.
�Hence we urge the government to deal with the issue properly,� he maintained.
