BJP-led NDA government seems to have completely failed on all fronts to tackle the outbreak of Encephalitis or the “chamki bukhar”, which has been claiming lives of innocent children in Bihar. So far, 126 lives have been lost due to Encephalitis. As per the medical experts, the disease is curable and the lack of adequate medical facilities is the real reason behind the deaths of children. Despite this, the government has not done anything to curb the death toll.
Finally, two lawyers filed a plea in Supreme Court to seek directions to the Centre to urgently constitute a team of medical experts and make all required medical facilities available—along with a compensation of ₹10 lakh to every victim’s family. Fortunately, SC agreed to hear the plea on 19th June. As it is apparent, the government has morally surrendered by raising its hands on this issue.
It was found that no adequate facilities were available at the hospital to deal with the outbreak of this disease. A lack of doctors, beds, ICUs, well-trained staff, medicines etc., for which government is fully accountable, became the reasons for the death of children. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State Of Health and Family Welfare, who belongs to Bihar itself, visited the hospital on the 14th day, after the death of 78 children. Bihar’s Health Minister Mangal Pandey, also visited the hospital after the death toll went to 70, and showed no signs of seriousness during the meeting over the issue, as he was seen asking for the score of the India-Pak match, instead of giving a satisfactory response to media’s query. This indicates how serious the government is towards issues of public welfare and finding solutions to their problems.
However, the government alone is not responsible for these rapidly-growing pathetic and odd circumstances in this country; the general public is far more responsible. Because we are the ones who have elected our government representatives based on religion, caste and “cow protection” rather than the protection of our children, and better education and healthcare facilities for them.
This state-sponsored Encephalitis epidemic is a lesson for all the citizens to elect our representatives based on their qualities. We must choose those who can provide decent healthcare and education facilities for our children, securing their future instead of thwarting it.