PATHANAMTHITTA: The Malampandaram tribe members living in the forests of Pathanamthitta are in the grip of poverty and contagious diseases. The people are afflicted with the contagious scabies spotting lesions on their skin which has been worsened by their aversion to modern treatment.
The affected families live along Laha, Ponna-mbara, Chalakkayam and Moozhiyar forest regions.
“The number of people affected has come down of late. The disease is caused by ‘itch mite’ similar to head lice that make holes in the skin and live in burrows made inside the skin,” said Dr. Lakshmi R. Panicker who is working among the tribe people. They are reluctant to receive treatment and follow-up as it is against their beliefs, she added.
The mites also spread through clothes and other belongings. In the case of this tribe, the disease is aggravated due to their constant contact with mud and soil causing fungus infection further.
“Their change in lifes-tyle through awareness of the disease, treatment and further prevention could help them recover,” Dr. Lakshmi added. Most cases of the disease have been found in Moozhiyar and Chalakkayam areas. They are also anaemic owing to malnutrition.
There are two mobile medical units operating in Pathanamthitta for the welfare of tribal people, which conduct medical camps in tribal settlements, schools, and hostels.
