The outbreak that was first seen around this time last year eventually took the form of epidemic spreading to Rukum, Pyuthan, Salyan, Dailekh, Dolpa, Humla and other hill districts in the mid-western region. The epidemic’s final death was 273, according to Mid-Western Regional Health Directorate. [break]
The snail-paced progress in implementing the relief and prevention measures announced by the government last year has prompted concerns that another epidemic cannot be completely discounted. The government has announced that 3,000 toilets will be built in Jajarkot this year. But the construction started only after the first diarrhea cases were reported this season.
The District Drinking Water and Sanitation Division Office says the construction started a month ago. Engineer Sitaram Kafle of the office claims the construction of 3,000 toilets in 20 VDCs will be completed in 45 days from now.
“It would have been better had the toilets been constructed in winter. But it took time for the project to be approved by the higher-ups,” he said. He added that had the toilets been constructed in winter, an awareness campaign could have been launched in monsoon.
The government’s efforts seem to be aimed more at preparing the district to react to than preempt an outbreak. There is program in the district to distribute Piyush enough for three months to each household. But there has been no campaign to raise awareness.
Not only has there been no precautionary measures from the government, there has been negligence to distribute rice and salt promised to nourish those who survived the epidemic last year.
The prime minister as well as the health minister, who reached the affected areas last year, had promised 10 kilograms of rice and a kilogram of salt to each affected household. But the 1,660 quintals of rice and 166 quintals of salt that reached the district for distribution remains locked inside the Nepal Food Corporation office.
Chief District Officer Thapa said the supply has not been distributed as it isn’t adequate, and also there is no reliable record of those who were affected last year. But his office said that there are adequate health professionals to respond to an outbreak this year. Thapa said all health centers in the rural areas have medicine and health workers.
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