CUTTACK: The Nephrology department of the SCB Medical College and Hospital in association with the district health administration is set to embark on an intensive screening of the people in pockets across Narsinghpur and Baramba blocks of Cuttack district in a bid to determine the incidence of chronic renal failure (CRF) in the region. Several villages under the two blocks have reported unusually high incidence of kidney diseases in the population sparking serious public health concerns. As many as 26 villages in the Narsinghpur block and at least a score in neighbouring Baramba block are affected by the unexplained scourge. Under the exhaustive exercise, villages will be intensively screened for the disease. The format for epidemiological investigation and individual screening has been developed by the Department of Community Medicine of SCBMCH and will be undertaken by the district health personnel with supervision by the Nephrology department. Apart from the geographical factors, sources of water, each and every member of the households would be examined on the basis of dietary habits, history of diseases, history of drugs and medicines, use of nephrotoxic substances, agricultural patterns and use of pesticides. Serum samples would also be collected at random and sent to specialised laboratories for examination and determining presence of nephrotoxic elements or heavy metals in the blood streams. The funds for the purpose would be extended by the district administration. Once the culprit is detected, finding the sources would become easy, sources said. The screening would be conducted by the doctors, medical staff and health workers in the hospitals and health centres in the region. They would be accompanied by experts and senior health functionaries of the district. The exercise would start as early as February, sources said. According to records, over 30 persons of the region have been afflicted by the disease and got admitted to the SCBMCH in last one year. Several of them have already succumbed. “The situation is particularly alarming in around five villages in both the blocks. The high mortality is on account of not getting treatment due to high costs involved. Most of the people in the said villages belong to the lower economic strata and cannot afford the continuing expenses on treatments like dialysis and medicines”, amicus curiae and member of the High Court-appointed advocates’ committee on health, which has taken up the issue, PR Das said. Currently two patients Bhabani Khatua (35) of Kamaladiha village under Narsinghpur and Niranjan Otta (45) of Khariapatti village under Baramba block are undergoing treatment at SCBMCH, Das said. Meanwhile, the district administration has announced provisioning of financial assistance to CRF patients from the affected pockets through the Orissa State Treatment Fund (OSTF). Assistance would also be extended through the District Red Cross Fund to the needy people, administration sources said.
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