Research on Jeenu Kuruba Community reveals startling facts

The Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute (KSTRI) has conducted research for first of its kind on the status of health of tribals belonging to Jenu Kuruba community (Honey Collectors), of which startling facts have been revealed.
The findings have revealed that most of the pregnant women are suffering from malnutrition. Majority of the Jenu Kurubas residing at Hunsur and HD Kote taluks, in particular were found to have been afflicted with Tuberculosis, while several of them had already died.
Lack of timely medical care, and not taking modern medicine is cited as the main reason for the increase in TB and death. The factors responsible for their low health and increase in mortality has also been highlighted in the findings.
It has been also found that members belonging to this particular tribe are more vulnerable to skin disease, diarrhea, Monkey disease, asthma and sickle cell anemia. Both men and women indulge in regular alcoholic consumption. There dwelling places are extremely unhygienic. In all, the community is considered to be most vulnerable in matters related to health amongst all other tribal groups.
Jenukurubas reside only in three districts, namely Mysore, Chamarajanagar and Kodagu. Their total population is considered to be around 8,000. The random sample survey was conducted at Gundlupt, Hunsur, HD Kote, Somwarpt and Virajpet for about one-and-half years.
KSTRI Director Dr TT Basavanagouda said that the main reason for the rampant disease among the tribals is lack of awareness on health issues and unhygienic.
“Declining population is a major criteria to assist Jeenu Kuruba, a particularly vulnerable tribal groups in Karnataka. They are very poor compare to other tribal community. They wont give much importance for health. They are illiterates and most backward in socio-economic-health. Their population is fast declining. Majority of the community members practice cultivation or work as farm labourers. Their average lifespan is around 65 to 70 years.”
Collecting the random samples, further studies will be done with clinical assistance to know the reason for malnutrition among tribal pregnant women, he added.
Basavangounda said that they will be shortly submitting the report to the Social Welfare Department giving suggestions for health and family welfare to take precautionary measures to improve their health and living conditions, thereby reduce contracting diseases. Arrangements have been made to conduct de-addiction camps and health awareness programmes on hygiene for all tribals across the State, he added. 

Rodents haunt KR Hospital patients

More than 1,000 rodents are poisoned every month

The menace of rodent is at larger extent at the city's famous KR Hospital. Whats alarming is about 1,000 rodents are killed by poisoning every month by a daily wage worker Siddaraju from various wards located inside the KR Hospital.

As the vegetable market, Booti Bazaar is adjacent to the hospital, rodents find it easier to enter through underground drainage pipes, roads. Another reason cited for the rampant menace is that visitors to hospital discard the leftover food openly, and for the smell rodent comes.

Speaking to Express, most of the staff and patients complained of rats entering the wards around 8 pm creating panic among the women and their relatives who sleep on the floor.
As rodents pose serious health risks, it has become cause of worrisome for both doctors and patients alike. Specially, the patients undergoing treatment at Cheluvamba hospital (Maternity hospital) will pass everyday out of fear in night.

Dean and Director of Cheluvamba Hospital, Dr Krishhna Murthy said that as the hospital is right adjacent to Market it has become a challenging task to tackle the rat menace.
“We are putting all efforts to bring the problem under control by catching rats. Though a large number of rats are being poisoned each day, their numbers have not dwindled. To extend the exercise further, we need to give contract for concerned agency for which Rs 25,000 per month is needed,” he added.
Siddaraju, who is working for KR Hospital for last seven years said: “I keep the poison at safe place, where other insects, birds cant reach. An average of about 25 to 50 rats are poisoned every day at MMC&RI, KR Hospital and Cheluvamba Hospital.”

Yogesh, a residents of Vidyaranayapuram said: “I had admitted my sister to Cheluvamba Hospital for delivery. I found big rats entering the wards daily night. We had taken utmost care for the new born baby during our stay.”
T Narasipur Taluk Senior Citizen Rekhavathi also admitted the menace of big rats and complained of lack of hygiene. “Have witnessed big rats scurrying inside the wards. Measures should be taken to trap them.”