Another tribal dies of silicosis

By K. Venkateshwarlu

HYDERABAD, DEC. 2. Nenavath Sevia, a Lambada tribal of Kamsanipalli village in Mahbubnagar district, has become the latest victim of the dreaded silicosis even as the medical team appointed by the Government on a direction from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has completed the job of examining about 150 persons suspected of suffering from the disease.

The tribal was being brought to Hyderabad from his village when he developed breathlessness and died in the van, on the way, on Friday. He was in the last batch of patients to be examined for the disease at the Osmania General Hospital. A radiological examination of the body revealed that he had died of fully blown silicosis.

A few days ago, silicosis claimed another worker, B. Chandraiah of Chinchod, just before the process of medical examination began, taking the death toll to 272. Like in most such deaths from time to time during the last two decades, the previous medical examinations of these two victims had shown that they were suffering from silicosis. These examinations were conducted at the MediCiti Hospital two years ago and confirmed by the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH), Ahmedabad.

The latest medical examination was ordered by the NHRC, after it received a petition from an environmentalist, Mr. Sambasiva Rao, on the plight of the victims. All of them were working in the quartz mines of the State-owned AP Mineral Development Corporation at Elkatta in Mahabubnagar district and were exposed to high levels of silica dust for about nine years. The mines were closed down in 1974, but several of the workers continue to suffer from silicosis. They were neither treated for the disease nor were they paid any compensation.

The fresh tests now conducted in four batches from November 28 to December 1 included blood, radiological and clinical examination by the chest specialists team comprising Dr. K. J. R. Murthy of Mahavir Hospitals, Dr. Ravindra Babu of KGM Hospital at Visakhapatnam, Dr. Ramesh Rao of the Institute of Chest Diseases and Dr. Subbarayudu of Medwin Hospitals. They are expected to send the report to the NHRC in the next few days.

Some members of the team had visited Elkatta village last month and met some of the victims, who poured out their tales of woe. Most of the womenfolk had lost their spouses and were looking forward to the Government's help in performing the marriages of their daughters. The team also visited the spot where the mines were located, particularly the place where the workers had to work in closed asbestos roofed shed. There was no escape route for the workers and they were exposed to the dust daily for about eight hours. They worked for a paltry wage of Rs. 1.25 daily.

When the issue was raised in the Assembly three years ago, the Government ordered a medical examination at the Institute of Chest Diseases. But in a hurry, villagers who were not affected or worked in the fringe areas, were brought and examined, leading to negative results.

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Section  : Southern States
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