Health department visits Bethalapadu to study prevalence of kidney ailment

Kothagudem: Officials of the health department visited hamlets of Peeklathanda, Takyathanda, Panthuluthanda and Cheepurugudem of Bhethalapdu village in Julurpad mandal and collected random blood samples from 16 healthy persons and three suspected kidney patients.

Deccan Chronicle carried the report on a steady increase in the number of kidney patients in these hamlets and these people spending huge sums for diagnosis and treatment. The health department team was led by district deputy medical and health officer Vinod and medical officer Veerababu.

The district health officials have received phone calls from the CM’s office to ascertain the facts. Veerababu said the government machinery responded to the issue fast. “We collected blood samples to gauge the problem,” he said, adding that the samples were sent to labs and the results will come within a couple of days.

It is important to check the extent of metal content in the drinking water. A pro-active role of officials of the water supply department is essential in solving the health problem.