23 suspected deaths in Nagpur GMCH, 8 in Akola

Nagpur: Government Medical College and Hospitals of Nagpur and Akola too have recorded deaths due to organophosphates-based pesticides. According to information available on Wednesday, there were 23 in Nagpur and 8 in Akola. In Yavatmal GMCH, from where the issue came into focus, the toll is 19. All the deaths have taken place in September alone.

Hospital authorities in Akola confirmed that the deaths were due to inhalation of the chemical. In Nagpur, it is not clear if the deaths occurred due to inhalation or consumption.

"It is difficult to segregate data in one day, at least 10% of these deaths could be due to inhalation. What is certain is that they have happened only after coming into contact with organphospate-based pesticides," Dr Rajesh Gosavi, the GMCH-Nagpur medical superintendent, told TOI.

All the people who died in Nagpur GMCH hailed from nearby talukas, districts as well as Madhya Pradesh. According to figures provided by the hospital, 14 were from Nagpur district, 5 from Bhandara, 1 each from Chandrapur and Gondia districts, and 1 each from Chindwara and Seoni, in Madhya Pradesh. The places in Nagpur district include Ramtek, Umed, Bhiwapur and Kamptee talukas.

GMCH authorities have sought more time to dig out details of these deaths.

The deaths from Akola GMC include five deaths from various talukas in Akola district, two from talukas in Amravati district and one from Buldhana district. This information came to fore when TOI asked the Akola GMCH dean Dr R Karyakarte to dig into the data of deaths caused due to inhalation of pesticides from spraying in the last few months.

Akola GMCH had two cases of insecticide spraying in June of which there were no deaths. In July, the hospital had five admitted patients (1 from Washim and 4 from Akola district) but there were no deaths. In August too there were no deaths but the hospital treated 26 patients (17 from Akola, 1 from Washim, 7 from Buldhana and 1 from Yavatmal district).

There was a spurt in cases in September when the hospital had 97 patients admitted after spraying which included 81 cases from Akola, 2 from Washim, 10 from Buldhana and 4 from Amravati district. Of these 97 cases, five deaths occurred (one each) from Malipura, Panchgawhad, Selara, Murtizapur and Balapur talukas.

The Buldhana district patient who died belonged to Shegaon taluka. The two patients from Amravati district belonged to Dharud and Dharni talukas. Dr Karyakarte however refused to divulge the names of the patients as these were medico-legal cases and information could be used in claiming insurance money.

"We routinely see 5-10 patients of pesticide spray almost every day during the season from July to October. But so many deaths have never been registered. This year we realized the influx of such patients only when we analysed the data," said Dr Karyakarte.

As reported by TOI since last week, farmers and farm labourers are mixing pesticides dangerously to spray cotton fields which have been affected large-scale due to pests like pink bollworm, jassids, thrips and white flies. Due to the fickle monsoon this year, the plants have grown as tall as humans too.

It means, when the labourer is spraying using a new Chinese spray, drops of pesticide fall on the user giving him breathing and eye problems. Though the Chinese spray is costlier than an indigenous one, it works more effectively. Also, in desperation to get rid of the pests, the farmer is mixing different types of pesticides completely against advice. Many are also not using protective gear.