Avtar Bhat
KATHUA, Jan 12: The Health authorities in district Kathua are totally disturbed over the alarming reports of the children born with various deformities in the industrial hub of Govindsar near here for last 15 to 16 years and they have launched a campaign to conduct the medical examination of all the affected children to ascertain the facts and causes of the problem.
As scores of children have born handicapped, mentally retarded and also with multiple problems of liver, pancreas, kidneys etc in Govindsar area of Kathua district the authorities of Health Department have started conducting medical examination to ascertain the causes of the deformities developed in this industrial belt.
According to villagers, a large number of children in Govindsar having a population of 5000 people are either born physically handicapped or mentally retarded or they suffer from various chronic ailments in the village for a pretty long time and over these years about half a dozen children also died due to these ailments. Recently one 15 year boy Pawan Gupta died who was suffering from some liver infection at DH Kathua.
The villagers who raised a hue and cry for failure of authorities to ascertain the cause of the problem which surfaced in the village for last over 15 years has now forced the authorities of Health Department to have the clinical examination of these children for proper treatment and also conduct the various tests to ascertain the causes of the problem.
Four days back the CMO Kathua issued instructions to the officials of the Health Department to get the tests of 20 such handicapped and mentally retarded children conducted at DH Kathua for their treatment. However due to lack of proper examination facilities at DH Kathua, the Health authorities have decided to get some tests conducted at GMC Jammu and PGI Chandigarh for the proper treatment of these children.
The Health Department has decided to provide free of cost treatment to all these children under National Health Programme. Admitting that the tests of about 20 children from Govindsar and surrounding areas were conducted few days back the CMO Kathua said that for further examination these children were referred to GMC Jammu and Chandigarh to ascertain the cause of diseases and problem.
He said that locals relate it to the pollution of factories and this can be ascertained only after proper survey. The Pollution Control Board (PCB) should conduct the water and other soil tests to ascertain whether the problem is related to industry or not.
He said there are children from age group of zero to 18 years in the village who have various bodily defects and deficiencies. These defects are from birth. Among these children some are mentally retarded, others physically handicapped and some suffering from various ailments. But to ascertain the facts and cause of the same, a proper survey of the area and examination of these children needs to be done.
The CMO, however, said that the Health Department will bear the expenses of all tests and also provide assistance to the children in getting the other tests conducted at GMC Jammu or PGI Chandigarh which are not available at Kathua.
Shashi Sharma, a local social activist who has taken up the issue with administration said the problem is grave and the Government should immediately conduct a proper survey and take measures for rehabilitation of these children. He said over 15 years back, the people had also made a complaint before the administration as 50 to 60 children of the area were suffering from various deficiencies and defects. At that time, it was said that samples of water and soil will be taken to ascertain what is the actual cause of the problem but later nothing was done.
He said as the problem has taken a critical turn and eight to nine children among them have died over these years while one child Pawan Gupta who was totally crippled and could not continue his schooling after class 4th died four days back at DH Kathua.
He said the alarming reports about the problem surfaced after the local Anganwari and Asha workers during their door to door survey in the area revealed that a large number of children are having various defects in the village by birth. As the Health authorities studied the report the CMO Kathua issued instructions to subordinate doctors including BMO Kathua to have a medical examination of all these children. They were brought to DH Kathua few days back where from after conducting the examination the doctors advised further tests which are to be held at GMC Jammu and PGI Chandigarh.
However, the tests of remaining children were to be conducted at DH Kathua today but due to preoccupation of doctors and para medical staff with Pulse polio mission, it could not be done today and now they will be examined tomorrow, said BMO Kathua. He said people are of the view that the problem is due to installation of polluting industries in the area as the industry waste is not detoxified and it mingles in the land. So samples needed be taken and tests conducted to ascertain the facts as the underground water of tube wells can also be polluted causing harm to pregnant women.
As per reports there are about eight cement plants in the area as well as some pesticide and other polluting companies which are hardly 200 to 300 meters away from Govindsar. Moreover, the unloading of coal and cement at Govindsar Railway Station has also added to the pollution in the area.
The Government has failed to install the Air Pollution Control Instrument and also made the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) before installation of industry in the area, said Shashi Sharma who is battling for the cause of the affected people.
However, when contacted district Pollution Officer Angrez Singh said that he has no information about the same as the industry is existing away from Govindsar near Hatli Morh. However, the villagers totally reject the same saying that the distance from the Govindsar and industrial complex is hardly 200 to 300 meters and Hatli Morh is under the jurisdiction of Govindsar Panchayat.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
