Rise in Number of Student Deaths at Tribal Welfare Hostels in ASR District
15 Dec 2024 1:08 AM IST
The tragic deaths of over 11 children in tribal welfare hostels highlight the urgent need for improved healthcare and management. (DC Representational Image)
VISHAKHAPATNAM: In a tragic twist, more than 11 children have lost their lives in various tribal welfare hostels within the Alluri Sitarama Raju district this year, government records show.
The alarming increase in student fatalities has caused concern, mainly among the tribal communities and has prompted calls for urgent governmental intervention.
Among the dead was Murla Satyavati, a 14-year-old, 9th-grade student from GTWH School in Thatiparthy, Paderu. She passed away due to some sudden illness on Dec 13.
Poojari Lakshmi Priya, a first-year student at the Government Junior College, Paderu, died of septic shock on Sept 22 after being admitted to KGH. J Dara Malleswari, an eighth-grade student at GTWA School (G) in RV Nagar, GK Veedhi mandal, died on Sept 16 from complications related to lung and brain failure.
Furthermore, Gollori Mohandas, a 10th-grade student at GTWA School (B) in Sapparla, GK Veedhi mandal, died on Sept 15 due to respiratory complications when he was taken to PHC, GK Veedhi, for hospitalization.
Sukuru Appala Konda, a seventh-grade student at GTWA School (G) in Tokuru, Ananthagiri mandal, passed away on Sept 21 from fever and respiratory issues while undergoing treatment at CHC, Srungavarapukota. J Samuel, a 10th-grade student at GTWAS (Boys) Sapparla, died on July 29 due to stomach pain and vomiting.
On October 3, Vechangi Kantharao, a 9th-grade student at GTWA (Boys) Seekari, died after a sudden headache and vomiting. Jenni Vaishali, a 7th-grade student at GTWA School (G) in Bheempolu, died on Nov 6 at CHC, Srungavarapukota, following stomach pain and vomiting.
In addition, four other students have died in AP Model Residential Schools, exacerbating the distress among members of tribal communities.
The Andhra Pradesh Adivasi JAC, a notable advocacy forum, calls for immediate governmental action to address these fatalities.
Rama Rao Dora, the ASR District convener for state Adivasi JAC, has underscored the deteriorating conditions within tribal welfare hostels. Dora stated that while the ITDA once provided Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) to each hostel, there existed a shortage of medical personnel now.
This, he noted, has resulted in larger responsibilities for deputy wardens, who oversee between 400 and 800 children. This situation limits the ability of these institutions to provide adequate care, particularly for the 3rd- to 10th-grade students.
Dora has emphasized the necessity of an MBBS doctor conducting bi-weekly health assessments in these hostels.
While awareness regarding tribal issues grows, families are choosing to have fewer children, thereby increasing the significance of each child's health and well-being. The loss of a child in these hostels not only generates profound grief but also undermines parents’ aspirations for better educational outcomes from enhanced literacy.
These tragic fatalities underscore the urgent requirement for improved supervision of these hostels apart from proper medical care within tribal welfare hostels, Dora stressed.
Among the dead was Murla Satyavati, a 14-year-old, 9th-grade student from GTWH School in Thatiparthy, Paderu. She passed away due to some sudden illness on Dec 13.
Poojari Lakshmi Priya, a first-year student at the Government Junior College, Paderu, died of septic shock on Sept 22 after being admitted to KGH. J Dara Malleswari, an eighth-grade student at GTWA School (G) in RV Nagar, GK Veedhi mandal, died on Sept 16 from complications related to lung and brain failure.
Furthermore, Gollori Mohandas, a 10th-grade student at GTWA School (B) in Sapparla, GK Veedhi mandal, died on Sept 15 due to respiratory complications when he was taken to PHC, GK Veedhi, for hospitalization.
Sukuru Appala Konda, a seventh-grade student at GTWA School (G) in Tokuru, Ananthagiri mandal, passed away on Sept 21 from fever and respiratory issues while undergoing treatment at CHC, Srungavarapukota. J Samuel, a 10th-grade student at GTWAS (Boys) Sapparla, died on July 29 due to stomach pain and vomiting.
On October 3, Vechangi Kantharao, a 9th-grade student at GTWA (Boys) Seekari, died after a sudden headache and vomiting. Jenni Vaishali, a 7th-grade student at GTWA School (G) in Bheempolu, died on Nov 6 at CHC, Srungavarapukota, following stomach pain and vomiting.
In addition, four other students have died in AP Model Residential Schools, exacerbating the distress among members of tribal communities.
The Andhra Pradesh Adivasi JAC, a notable advocacy forum, calls for immediate governmental action to address these fatalities.
Rama Rao Dora, the ASR District convener for state Adivasi JAC, has underscored the deteriorating conditions within tribal welfare hostels. Dora stated that while the ITDA once provided Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) to each hostel, there existed a shortage of medical personnel now.
This, he noted, has resulted in larger responsibilities for deputy wardens, who oversee between 400 and 800 children. This situation limits the ability of these institutions to provide adequate care, particularly for the 3rd- to 10th-grade students.
Dora has emphasized the necessity of an MBBS doctor conducting bi-weekly health assessments in these hostels.
While awareness regarding tribal issues grows, families are choosing to have fewer children, thereby increasing the significance of each child's health and well-being. The loss of a child in these hostels not only generates profound grief but also undermines parents’ aspirations for better educational outcomes from enhanced literacy.
These tragic fatalities underscore the urgent requirement for improved supervision of these hostels apart from proper medical care within tribal welfare hostels, Dora stressed.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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