Urgent Action Needed as Digvijaya Singh Highlights Skin Disease Crisis Among Children in Betul
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Key Takeaways
Bhopal, March 20 (NationPress) Renowned Congress figure and former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh, raised alarms on Friday regarding the increasing incidents of skin disorders among children, which appear to stem from tainted water in the district of Betul. He has called for swift action from local authorities.
Reports indicate a rise in skin conditions, notably itching (scabies), affecting children in Danvakheda village, situated in the Ghodadongri block of Betul.
Approximately 20 children are reported to be experiencing symptoms such as itching (scabies), cold, cough, fever, and other common illnesses, leading the district administration to set up a medical camp.
Upon being informed, Rajya Sabha MP Digvijaya Singh expressed deep concern, emphasizing that innocent children are suffering due to unsafe drinking water.
He noted that a similar outbreak had tragically resulted in the deaths of several children nearly six months prior in Betul, yet the relevant authorities did not implement preventive strategies.
“It is profoundly unfortunate that children have succumbed to this very issue just months ago; the administration displayed a concerning lack of urgency and sensitivity,” Singh remarked in his Friday statement.
The senior Congress politician pointed out that despite the outbreak being recognized nearly a week ago, there has yet to be any significant progress in addressing the crisis.
Singh mentioned that local residents have voiced their worries through protests and complaints, yet the administration has not succeeded in ensuring access to safe drinking water.
He urged immediate action from both the state government and the Betul district administration, asserting that “ensuring clean drinking water is a fundamental duty of the government, and any negligence in this matter is intolerable.”
He also called for immediate measures to secure clean drinking water in the village and urged the inspection and remediation of contamination sources as soon as possible.
“Before the situation worsens, authorities must guarantee that those affected, particularly children, receive adequate medical attention, and decisive action should be taken against responsible officials,” he continued.
According to Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Manoj Hurmade, the issue was first noticed on March 15, after which a medical team was dispatched to the village to provide necessary care to those affected.