19 November 2010
By Akshay Deshmane
Mumbai, India
For the last two weeks, in the Kankavli region of Sindhudurg district and parts of Raigad, an ‘epidemic’ of leptospirosis has been raging. There have been at least 15 deaths yet (six of them on Thursday itself) and more than 30 detections in Sindhudurg. In Raigad, there have been seven deaths.
As leptospirosis occurs to farmers working barefeet in paddy fields, it is being said that gum-boots and gloves should have been provided to them. Also, the Doxycyclin tablets needed to be given to a larger section of people.
It seems that there has been a lacuna in the necessary health facilities. The district health departments are unwilling to declare the disease an epidemic.
Thus, no emergency arrangements for access to crucial health facilities are available.
The issue may assume political overtones with a local BJP MLA criticising the local administration for the failure in avoiding an epidemic. Interestingly, sources said, even local political workers working with Narayan Rane have joined cause with the critics of the local administration.
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