Time To Work In Tandem To Curb Japanese Encephalitis: Pradhan

Malkangiri: A BJP delegation led by Union Petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday visited the tribal-dominated Malkangiri district where over 100 children have died due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE).

Other members of BJP team included BJP’s Odisha unit president Basant Panda, senior leaders KV Singhdeo and Bhrugu Baxipatra.

They visited the affected villages in the district and took stock of the situation. The BJP team also interacted with the villagers. They also visited the district headquarters hospital, where the JE affected children are undergoing treatment.

“We need to go beyond crisis management. A comprehensive blueprint is required to be prepared for creating a healthy society. It is time for both the center and the state to work in tandem and cooperation,” said Pradhan.

He said vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis will start in December.

“Not only vaccination for Japanese Encephalitis, but need to take care of health issues-malaria,dengue,malnutrition affecting children & women,” tweeted the Minister.

The district is confronting with Japanese Encephalitis in which more than 100 children have lost their lives, he added.

“Will apprise Hon.PM Shri @narendramodi about the difficulties and problems faced by the villagers due to Japanese Encephalitis,” tweeted Pradhan.

On the other hand, allegations came that the Odisha Police refused to provide security cover to the union minister during this visit. He carried on his tour of this Maoist-infested district in southern Odisha amid security provided by the paramilitary Border Security Force (BSF) jawans managed by the Centre.