Children at the tribal hamlets situated on the fringes of Nagarahole National Park have been found to be suffering from a rare skin disease since a few days.
But, they have been neglecting it as there are no hospitals around to get treatment. So, the disease is fast spreading its tentacles. As the tribals live in joint families under the same roof, the disease spreads rapidly and a few adults at Ballenahosahalli hamlet of Hangod hobli have already contracted it. According to tribals, the disease spreads from monkeys in the wild.
With the children attending anganwadi centres, the possibilities of the disease spreading to others has become a cause for concern.
Tribal health unit
There are 58 tribal hamlets in the taluk. But, as there are no hospitals, the forest dwellers have to visit the primary health centres (PHC) at Hangod or Neralakuppe or Hunsur taluk Hospital, for treatment.
A PHC, that was sanctioned to Nagapura tribal rehabilitation centre a few years ago, is refusing to shed the underconstruction tag. With the taluk administration neglecting it, the people living here have not been able to get ‘Arogya bhagya’ since 18 years, complain the tribals.
Speaking to DH, Honnegowda of the Social Welfare department said, four tribal children have been affected by the skin disease. “Skin problems are common among the tribals as they do not give importance to cleanliness and hygiene,” he said.
A mobile health unit that was functioning in the region has stopped service as the tender period of the contractor has expired. New tenders will be floated soon and mobile health units will be deployed again, he assured.
