In the village of Dhaneri, located in the Dantiwada taluka of Banaskantha district, two young children have tragically died from a mysterious illness. This incident occurred on Saturday and has sent shockwaves through the local community. A third child was fortunate to receive timely medical treatment and has recovered.
The children who lost their lives were Riyan Ashaben Bhaveshbhai Bera from Dhaneri and Vishva Jagdishbhai Patel from Godh village. Both children were less than a year old. Riyan was born on May 6, 2023, and Vishva on August 10, 2023. Their deaths on the same day have left the village in mourning.
Reports indicate that Riyan showed symptoms of the illness, which included rashes on his body. The sudden nature of these deaths has raised concerns about the health services in the area, especially with the onset of the monsoon season.
A third child, who also displayed symptoms of the illness, was quickly taken to a medical facility. Thankfully, after receiving treatment, this child has since recovered. This has sparked questions regarding the efficiency of the local health department, particularly as viral outbreaks are reportedly on the rise in the region.
Community members have voiced their fears and frustrations regarding the healthcare services in their villages. They claim that health department staff do not adequately monitor the situation in rural areas. Even though doctors are available at local government health centres, the care provided is often inadequate due to staff negligence.
The deaths of these two children have raised alarm about the current state of healthcare in Dhaneri and nearby villages. Residents are calling for immediate action from the health department to address these issues. They demand better surveillance and medical facilities to prevent any further loss of life.
Dhaneri is primarily an agricultural village. The main sources of livelihood for the people here include farming, agricultural labour, and animal husbandry. Common crops grown in Dhaneri include wheat, cumin, pearl millet, cotton, and various vegetables.
Despite the challenges faced by the community, Dhaneri has basic amenities like a primary school, a panchayat office, an anganwadi (rural childcare centre), and a dairy. The village also has temples dedicated to Shankar Bhagwan, Chamunda Mata, and Meladi Mata, which serve as important cultural sites.
As the situation unfolds, villagers are hoping for a swift response from health authorities. They want to ensure that such tragic incidents do not happen again. The health department must take responsibility and improve healthcare services in this vulnerable region to protect the lives of its youngest members.
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