Lucknow: Every year, hundreds of children across the country die due to Japanese Encephalitis, a disease that is spread to humans by infected mosquitoes.
In Uttar Pradesh alone, over 700 children die of this disease every year. Chinese vaccines are known to be the only means of tackling the deadly disease. However, their effectiveness is now being questioned.
A record 70 lakh children were vaccinated this year to bring down the death toll. But that didn't seem to help.
Several hospitals in eastern Uttar Pradesh are already filled with children suffering from high fever and symptoms of Japanese Encephalitis.
Some have already died.
"Even after vaccination, my child is suffering from Encephalitis," says a parent, Shambhu Nath.
However, officials of the health department are cautious in reporting the exact number of people infected this year. They say that the actual figure will only be known after serum tests are conducted.
"Fifty two serum samples have been taken and officially we are yet to give any confirmation," says Director of Communicable Diseases, UP, Dr OP Pathak.
Ironically, Uttar Pradesh, which has given four prime ministers to the country, is perhaps the only state where more than 12,000 children have lost their lives due to Japanese Encephalitis in the past 28 years.
This is not just a figure, but a sad reminder of how indifferent our politicians have become towards the sufferings of the common man.
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