A collective of the sickle cell anaemia patients in the district is preparing to launch an indefinite agitation in protest against the alleged apathy of the government towards the patients in the district.
Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday C.D. Saraswathi, convenor of the Sickle Cell Anaemia Patients Association, said as many as 816 patients, including 600 tribal patients, in the district were suffering from the acute form of the genetic disorder but the government was yet to adopt any measures to address their issues.
Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited blood disorder seen among tribal people of Wayanad, Attappady, and Idukki. The disorder is highly prevalent among the tribes in south Indian States.
The patients were even denied their monthly pension of ₹2,000 for general category patients and 2,500 for those in ST category for the past seven months, Ms. Saraswathi said.
Special ward
Though a special ward had been set up at the District Hospital, Mananthavady, a few years ago for the patients, it was yet to be opened, A.S. Ramadas, joint convenor of the collective, said.
Mega rehabilitation packages announced earlier for patients were yet to be implemented, the association further alleged. Many of the government hospitals were ill-equipped even to diagnose the disease. The affected people were not getting any special treatment as promised. Most of the patients were daily wage labourers who found it difficult to carry out heavy work, Mr. Ramadas said. The association also wanted the opening of the special ward set up for them at the district hospital, special medical care provided to the patients, their loans written off, provision of disability cards to the patients, and their pensions disbursed. The collective would take out a march and stage a dharna in front of the Collectorate here on March 11 as a part of the agitation, the members said.