Mangaluru: Argument over Epilepsy (neurological disorder) put out by Dr Erappa, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) of the Wenlock hospital drew flak on Thursday in the Endosulphan victims rehabilitation progress review meeting here at Deputy Commissioner’s office.

While the district administration appeared apprehensive of the victims not included under endo-problem ahead of government’s deadline, March 31, Ravindranath Shanbhogue, President of Human Rights Protection Foundation, warned health and family welfare department of filing a petition in the high court, if patients suffering from Cancer and Epilepsy failed to get RS 3,000 compensation. The state government has issued an order to the health department to complete the identification of victims before March 31.

At this juncture, RMO Dr Erappa contended Epilepsy was controllable ‘disease’ and were not eligible for compensation once it comes under control. Miffed over the argument, Shanbhogue mocked the doctor claiming Epilepsy is not a disease, it is a neurological syndrome. He further questioned “Who is this man communicating unscientific information in the meeting.” 

The syndrome is a life time trouble once attacked. The drugs, mainly ‘Eptoin’ and ‘Phenobarbital’ cost as many as RS 1,600. He demanded inclusion of such patients and Cancer sufferers hailing from endo-sprayed localities into stipend list. At present, health department and revenue department has been paying as many as RS 1,500 for cancer and epilepsy bearing endo-victims whose percentage of disability hover between 25%-60%. Above 60% are entitled to avail full compensation. When both the Nodal officer (Endosulphan) Arun Kumar and District Health Officer Ramakrishna Rao looked reluctant to seed to his contention, Shanbhogue hit out at the district administration saying he would file another petition in the high court.  

It could be recalled that High Court has disposed one petition in favour of endo-victims in the month of January. Shanbhogue speaking to Newskarnataka.com reiterated administration should work in favour of victims. He decisively mentioned he would knock the doors of the court, if he became unhappy with the behaviour of the health department.

For a question on plight of victims emerging after March 31, the Nodal office Arun Kumar told they would write to the government to seek clarification. However he was apprehensive on the subject. The meeting did not discuss this matter until the press surfaced this doubt to gather information.

The communication gap exiting between victims and health department shadowed in the meeting. Few victims directed by the medical attendants at recently held identification camp at Shirtadi to visit Wenlock for the completion of identification process were not attended at the hospital. When Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim queried, the RMO and Nodal officers blatantly said incident had not come to their knowledge.

However DC ordered to conduct a medical camp at Nettanige Mudnooru as only 52 victims were entitled to receive the compensation out of 131 victims, who underwent conformation test. He added death record of the victims across the district has to be updated. According to the current report available with the department; off the 3295 victims identified 35 have succumbed to Endosulphan. Report also states Puttur and Belthangady taluks were most affected by this deadly Endosulphan.

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