Akkalkuwa’s sick kids get their doc back

‘‘Under orders from the Director-General of Health, Dr Wagh’s transfer has been cancelled and he has been asked to return to Akkalkuwa,’’ Deputy Director of Health Dr Shreeram Matha told The Indian Express today. ‘‘And care is being taken to ensure medical care to all patients.’’ He said another doctor has been asked to visit the facility at least twice a day.

Though malnutrition by itself rarely causes death, it tends to aggravate ailments, which can prove life-threatening in the absence of medical facilities. The state’s official health figures put the number of malnutrition-related deaths among tribal children last year at more than 9,000.

Matha admitted frequent power failures are a perennial problem at the Akkalkuwa hospital. ‘‘We have a standby generator, unfortunately it developed some fault and couldn’t start,’’ he said. The major problem in health delivery systems in tribal areas like Akkalkuwa, he said, is that doctors are not willing to take up postings.