Dharmendra Pradhan Seeks Central Assistance To Contain Diarrhoea Outbreak In Rourkela

Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday wrote to his cabinet colleague Mansukh Mandaviya over diarrhoea outbreak in Odisha’s Rourkela.

He has sought the Union Health Minister’s personal intervention on the urgent need for central assistance to tackle the situation.

“I am writing to seek your personal intervention regarding the urgent need for central assistance to Rourkela and nearby
affected area in Odisha to control and address the recent outbreak of diarrhoea. The severity of outbreak of diarrhoea in Rourkela and the potential risk it poses to public health is alarming. At least eight deaths reported and over 600 individuals currently undergoing treatment. The disease is suspected to be caused by water contamination, leading to severe health complications among the affected populace,” he wrote.

Dharmendra urged him for immediate facilitation of central assistance to Rourkela and other affected areas in Odisha, for controlling and addressing the diarrhoea outbreak.

Earlier in the day, the Education Minister had tweeted his concern over the loss of lives and urged the state government to step up measures to curb the spread of the disease.

“I am saddened to hear the news of people dying due to diarrhoea in the past few days in and around Rourkela city. I pray for the departed souls and wish speedy recovery to those affected. I am praying for those undergoing treatment and hope that they can return home cured soon. It is a matter of worry that in metropolitan areas like Rourkela, hundreds of people are affected by diarrhoea. The state government should take necessary steps to provide better healthcare to the patients. House-to-house screening should be conducted in infected areas and people should be made awareness of the problem,” he posted on X.

Dharmendra also urged the state government to collaborate with central agencies to prevent the transmission.

This came on the day when Principal Secretary of Housing and Urban Development G Mathi Vathanan and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Shalini Pandit visited the Steel City to assess the ground situation.

Also Read: Cholera Toll Rises To 12: Odisha Health Secy Assess Ground Situation In Rourkela

According to unconfirmed sources, 13 persons have died so far as against the current official death toll of 6.