Puri: More than 1,100 Habishyalis, staying in the state government facility, ‘Brundabati Nivas’ in Odisha’s Puri town, have reportedly fallen sick due to various ailments.
According to sources, thousands of Habishyalis, mostly old women and widows, thronged the Pilgrim Town to observe ‘brata’ during holy month of Kartika in Odia calendar. Around 1,600 of them are staying in the Brundabati Nivas to perform the rituals during the month.
While 9 days of the month have already passed, more than 1,100 of them have developed different health related complications. Most of them belong to Puri and Naygarh districts, according to an official of the Nivas.
“We have already carried out treatment of 1,135 Habishyalis in our own health facility till date. Most of them are having minor ailments like diarrhoea, fever, loose motion and dehydration. At least 22 of them have been admitted to IDD hospital while those having hypertension and diabetes have been referred to district headquarters hospital,” he said.
On the reasons for the sickness, he said irregularity in having food and intake of ‘Mahaprasad’, which is not easily digestible for the old people, might have led to illness. Most of the complaints are about old age related problems, he added.
“We have basic medical facilities at the first aid centre like conducting tests of blood pressure, sugar and malaria. There is also ambulance facility for transportation of the patients from the Bhavan to hospital,” he said.
It may be noted that the local administration has made arrangements to accommodate over 3,000 Habishyalis at five centres in the town while chief minister inaugurated the Brundabati Bhavan for their stay on October 10.
