BAJURA, JULY 21

A 52-year-old man died due to kala azar in Budhinanda Municipality, Bajura, today.

Hikmat Wod, a local of the municipality said Parba Lal Gurung died for want of treatment. "Gurung died after he could not receive timely treatment even though the government has managed free test and treatment service for kala azar patients," he said.

Gurung's wife Pan Kala said Kolti Primary Health Centre had referred the patient to other health facilities for better treatment after his condition worsened. "But my husband died due to lack of treatment expenses," she said. The family of three has been left in the lurch after Parba Lal's demise.

Dr Chet Bahadur Dhami of Primary Health Centre, Kolti, said the patient was referred to Nepalgunj or Kathmandu for treatment. He said Parba Lal's condition was serious, so he was referred to another health facility after his treatment was not possible at the health centre. "We tried our best to save Parba Lal's life, but to no avail."

The relatives took Parba Lal home as they could not afford to take him to a Nepalgunj-based health facility. Pan Kala said her husband died due to lack of treatment as she could not manage the expenses. "I begged all to manage treatment expenses, but in vain," she said.

A minor died of kala azar at Kolti some two years ago while receiving treatment at Kathmandu-based Kanti Children's Hospital. The deceased has been identified as Bhagya Shahi, 13, of Swamikartik Rural Municipality.

Budinanda Municipality Health Assistant Coordinator Om Jung Shahi said the disease was prevalent in the northern part of Bajura. As many as 14 people were diagnosed with kala azar at Swamikatrik Khapar, Jagannath, Himali rural municipalities and Budinanda Municipality in Bajura two years ago. The patients in Bajura are compelled to go to Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, and Surkhet, among other places, for medicines due to lack of medicine in Bajura.

A civil society leader Pradip Raj Jaisi urged the government to pay attention to prevent communicable diseases. Earlier, the disease was seen in the Tarai area, but now, it is seen in the hilly areas as well.

Dr Jasmita Balampaki said fever, weight loss and enlargement of liver among other body parts were the symptoms of kala azar. According to health workers, patients have to go Nepalgunj and Dhangadi for treatment.

Bajura Health Office Chief Mahesh Chand said kala azar was seen in several places of the district. Health workers said the disease was seen at Budinanda Municipality and Swamikartik, Himali and Jagannath rural municipalities. They said the pandemic could spread if it was not controlled on time.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 22, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.