Bereaved family members at the Paharia village in Barhet block of Sahebganj. Picture by Manoj Kumar Saha

Ranchi, Sept. 3: Seven days, 10 diarrhoea deaths and all victims members of the endangered Paharia tribe in Sahebganj.

While crores are allocated every year for the uplift of this tribal heartland, it is but ignominy that healthcare remains a distant dream for people of one of the most primitive tribes.

Between August 24 and August 30, at least 10 people, including four children, of the far-flung Duggu Karma Toka village in Barhet block died of a disease not so fatal. The alleged reason being negligence on the part of health officials.

Reacting sharply to the deaths, deputy commissioner K. Ravi Kumar today sent a written complaint to the state health and welfare departments against the civil surgeon, medical officer in charge of Barhet primary health centre (PHC) and medical officer in charge of additional PHC in the village.

“After initial investigations and a visit to the village, I got to know that the officials concerned neglected their duties,” Kumar told The Telegraph over phone.

He said the first case came to light on August 24, when gram pradhan Dharma Paharia (45) died of the disease. The day after, the block development officer issued written orders to local health officials to send a team to Duggu Karma Toka for inspection. He also ordered a health camp. “However, medical officers sat on the orders till August 28 for reasons best known to them. Had they acted promptly, lives could have been saved,” he added.

Highlighting the epicentre of the disease, the deputy commissioner said: “On August 22, villagers feasted on beef, which was apparently not cooked well or had become stale. This led to a diarrhoea outbreak.”

According to Dinesh Patel, the secretary of Samaj Kalyan Vikas Seva Sadan that works for development of tribal communities, indifference towards Paharias is to blame for the deaths. “Of the total 259 blocks in Jharkhand, Paharias inhabit at least 127, including several blocks of Sahebganj. But they continue to live without medical facilities.” Patel pointed out that Duggu Karma Toka was just 10km from Barhet primary health centre. However, it took officials almost a week to visit the village and start a relief camp.

Downplaying the toll, the health department denied a diarrhoea outbreak in the region. “It is a simple case of food poisoning,” said Anjali Das, the director-in-chief (health services).