Women and children at a Central Coalfield Limited (CCL) health camp by at Semartoli in Pithoria block. Telegraph picture

Ranchi, May 19: All is not well in the rural hinterland when it comes to health matters.

A disease profile of two villages, Lupungtoli and Semartoli, adopted by Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) has revealed that the residents are suffering from various ailments because of malnutrition and poor living conditions. The findings — collected in course of monthly health camps — also show that certain diseases are common among women, children and men.

Women and girls of Lupungtoli in Namkum block have anaemia while children suffer are afflicted with worm infestations and upper respiratory tract infection. They are also malnourished. On the other hand, men suffer from eye problems, skin disease and backache. Alcoholism is another malady.

“We gave iron and calcium tablets to women and children. Those children suffering from worm infestations have been treated too,” said Manju Mishra, head of the medical team that visits these two villages regularly for check-ups.

At the last medical camp at Lupungtoli on May 11, 75 villagers were examined and given medicines, added CCL spokesperson Anupam Rana.

Ignorance is another reason behind the rising health hazards. Mishra said one Sarita Lakra of Lupungtoli did not know that she was suffering from uterine fibroid, a tumour, which was fortunately not malignant. She was operated upon at CCL Gandhi Nagar Hospital.

Similarly at Semartoli, a minority-dominated village in Pithoria block, the team found that most men suffered from eye ailments, which, on being neglected, led to hyper maturity of cataract. Skin diseases, backache and hypertension were some of the other problems.

“The men of Semartoli, either out of ignorance or lack of facilities, neglect their eye ailments. We came across four persons, who had almost become blind because of cataract. They could not even get into the vehicle when we brought them to CCL Gandhi Nagar Hospital for surgery. After the cataract operations, the men are now able to work in their fields,” said S. Bakshi, personnel manager of CCL who looks after these projects.

“Keeping the disease profiles, the medical team is planning to evolve a system that will help villagers access medical facilities readily and not wait for monthly check-ups, Mishra said.

The PSU has organised 12 health camps in both the villages. Under the corporate social responsibility, CCL has installed four hand pumps and constructed one community hall at Lupungtoli. Semartoli has got a community training centre and two toilets. One school each is being built at both villages.