Jaundice returns to haunt Cuttack civic body

CUTTACK: Despite claims made by district administration and local civic body for last three months to check spread of jaundice in city, the waterborne disease again returned to haunt as at least 25 patients have tested positive to the disease here recently.

Areas like Mehndipur, Darjee Sahi, Kali Gali, Balu Bazaar, Mahidas Bazaar, Nimchoudi and Alamchand Bazaar of the city have now come under the grip of jaundice and the panic-stricken people have blamed the civic authority for the worsening situation.

"Broken drinking water pipelines, filthy and unclean drains in the locality are the main causes of jaundice in the locality", alleges city Congress chief Md Moqim.

While it is claimed that huge amounts have now been spent by the civic authorities in replacing the broken pipelines, jaundice still spreads its tentacles contradicting the claims of expenditures, Moqim said.

Struck by the criticisms, the civic authorities however, yesterday geared up to tackle the situation by opening up health camps in the locality.

"The health camps would look into clinical investigations, treatment and spread awareness to check jaundice in the locality", said the civic body health officer Dr P K Pradhan.