Deluged Bihar grapples with epidemic fear

THE NEXT HURDLE: The administration now faces the challenge of warding off the outbreak of a mass epidemic.

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Patna: Rescue work is on in Bihar but bringing survivors to safety is only the first hurdle.

The administration now faces the challenge of warding off the outbreak of a mass epidemic. The shortage of doctors and affordable medicines only makes matters worse.

Janaki devi and her son Pappu have survived the floods that engulfed their village. But now they are going through another ordeal. Pappu is battling a high fever. Like him, hundreds of others are also falling ill.

"We have come from very far in the search of medicine. My son has very high fever and there is no medical aid," says Janaki Devi.

Public hospitals and makeshift clinics at rescue camps are teeming with patients. Large pools of standing water only increase the likelihood of disease and cases of high fever, common cold and diarrhoea are increasing - possible indicators of water borne diseases.

However, there are no doctors available on a full time basis.

A nurse at one of the rescue camps, Rukmini Das says, "Doctors are making brief and quick visits and consultations. They have to go to several medical centres."

There aren't enough doctors to tend to the mass of patients. Desperate for medical treatment, some poor patients have resorted to turning to private healthcare.

Dr Yadav, who works at a private hospital, says, "When they can't find help at the government hospital or rescue camp, poor patients are coming to private hospitals. But they can't afford the medicines."

People in the flood-affected areas not are simply receiving the medical attention that they need. If the administration doesn't make timely arrangements, those who survived the floods may succumb to disease.