Fever Spreads in Tribal Settlements, Five-Year-Old Girl Dies; Health Department Faces Criticism

Nilambur: The health department has come under criticism for failing to take adequate action despite a fever outbreak in the tribal settlements of Karulai in Malappuram and the death of a tribal girl. Several people have been affected by fever, prompting demands for urgent intervention by the health department to identify the cause of the outbreak and implement necessary preventive measures.

There are also allegations that the services of the Mobile Medical Service Unit operating in the forest regions are not being utilised effectively and that there was a failure to ensure timely medical treatment.

Akhila, a five-year-old, who lived in the tribal settlement in Karulai, died at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. She died after her fever took a turn for the worse.

There are demands for immediate tests to determine the nature of the infection spreading in the settlements and assess the extent of the outbreak. Authorities have also been urged to provide tribal families with information on preventive measures and necessary precautions.

In the wake of Akhila's death, demands have intensified for urgent health screenings and medical camps to be organised in Pulimunda and other tribal settlements in the area.