Seasonal diseases claim 10 lives in a week in Humla

Humla, April 25

As many as 10 persons died and hundreds of people fell sick after common cold and cough, among other communicable diseases, broke out in the remote villages of Humla district a week ago.

At least ten persons lost their lives in Raya and Syada VDCs from April 15 to April 24 in the district.

Seasonal diseases had broken out a month ago in both the VDCs where elderly people above 60 years of their age died.

People have to walk a whole day to reach the affected VDCs from district headquarters Mushikot.

Information Officer at District Health Office, Humla, Naresh Shrestha said that Hira Lal Rawal, 63, Jas Rawal, 60, his wife Chin Kali, 60, Riuli Rawal, 86, and Shire Rawal, 86 of Raya VDC died of the disease.

According to DSP Trilok Bahadur Chand, a police team has reached the affected area and is collecting data. He said, according to information provided by the police team, five persons have died at Syada VDC till date.

The deceased have been identified as Ranjga Bir Rokaya, 75, Bhipali Rokaya, 65, Lalmani Rokaya, 82, Dhauli Rokaya 85, and Bhadra Bir Rokaya, 73, of the VDC.

A primary report prepared by local health workers revealed that all of them died due to seasonal diseases. The report further added that hundreds of people have fallen ill in the villages. It is said that local health facilities sans the medicines.

Former chairman at Raya VDC Prem Budha said that some of the ill persons had lost their lives due to lack of medicine in the health posts. “People are compelled to return with empty hands when they reached the health facility for medicine,” he said.

Assistant nursing mid-wife Belsari Budha at Raya Health Post said they have been facing difficulty treating patients due to lack of medicine. On the other hand, people said health workers at Syada Health Post were returning patients after checking them instead of providing medicine.

Meanwhile, Khadananda Neupane, in-charge of the health post, said five elderly persons had died due to seasonal diseases with the onset of the hot season. “It is not an epidemic,” he informed, adding that as many as 20 patients were receiving treatment in the health facility every day. “We have been facing difficulties in treating patients due to lack of medicine,” he said.

The exact number of people affected by the diseases is yet to be known. Shrestha said that a team of health workers led

by Assistant Health Worker Kali Bahadur Shahi was deployed in Raya VDC while AHW Hari Bhakta Shahi-led team was deployed to Syada VDC along with medicine today.

He informed that a team of health workers led by Dr Chhabi Bastola had also been deployed to the worst affected area in Raya VDC.