Rayagada:
The cholera epidemic has hit Orissa. More than 63 people have died in Rayagada district since August. However, the Government response to the epidemic is still lackadaisical.
''All these cases have happened in highly inaccessible interior pockets. It's difficult to respond quickly because of the terrain. But still our teams have touched every area," said NB Jawale Collector, Raygada.
Nearly 600 people across 111 villages in Orissa are affected. But ironically, the government reported only 35 deaths and attributed all deaths to diarrhoea.
''So far, we have treated all patients as cholera patients," said Dr Benudhar Nayak, Chief Medical Officer, Rayagada district.
Rayagada has been cholera-sensitive since 2007 when 150 people died of the disease. Even as the hospitals are treating cholera patients day in and day out, the government's attitude in beyond comprehension.