Malaria taking its toll on villagers along Meghalaya

Lack of medical facilities, according to sources, has led the affected people to take the services from quacks and occultists. 

From our Correspondent

AZARA, July 17: The outbreak of malaria has created a havoc in the interior villages under Rani Block along the Assam–Meghalaya border which, for the Assam Health department, is located in the back of beyond. Over 100 people have been suffering from malaria for, what the local people allege, negligence on the part of the State Health Department.

According to the local people, malaria has been perennial along these border villages. However, this year the situation is the worst. Some of the affected villages are Jalukpaham, Dumipaham, Bhalukkhowa, tori, etc. Lack of medical facilities, according to sources, has led the affected people to take the services from quacks and occultists. 

There are allegations that the situation has come to such a pass as the multi–purpose workers (MPWs) of the State Health Department hardly go to the remote villages located in hilly terrains to collect their blood samples. "Taking the advantage of the illiterate and ignorant villagers, the MPWs visit only a few households and maintain their registers," a section of the local people alleged.

Though Dumupaham and Ghorbhanga fall under the sub–health centre under the Azara PHC, the health setup there barely extends any medical help to the locals as it has no medical facilities, the local people alleged.

The some the affected people are Mithun Rongpi, Jiapaw Rongpi, Joli Tumung, Korobi Tumung, Nilima Rabha, bin Rabha, Uttam Rabha, Likpit Sangma, Papu Boro, Dhapati Rabha and others.