Three-Digit Deaths: A Mystery Or A Democrat Loophole.

Three-digit deaths: a mystery or a democrat loophole.

ICUs in hospitals have become a synonym of deathbed in Muzaffarpur. Over the past few weeks, there have been at least 100 cases of acute encephalitis syndrome – a neurological condition triggered by a biochemical imbalance in the body – in the state of Bihar.

An unwelcomed guest crept into the lanes of Muzaffarpur, in the mid-June, announcing the imminent 148 deaths, creating an epidemic with an ambiguous origin. The astonishing fact which came into limelight is, that it is not a new phenomenon instead has been shadowing Muzaffarpur and the surrounding areas. Just two years ago, more than 500 children died due to encephalitis in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh that falls in the same region and has similar geographic conditions as Muzaffarpur.

In spite of the fact that this phenomenon isn’t unknown, researches haven’t been able to come up with a clear cause. Dire June heat can be blamed, the lack of sugar in children and an amusingly shocking cause being the litchis. A series of studies from similar incidents of AES in the past by Jacob Jon, a senior paediatrician in Vellore, proves there's a link betweenan enzyme in litchis and instances of AES. The enzyme methylenecyclopropylglycine (mercifully called 'MCPG') in litchis can trigger a stark overnightdip in sugar levels (a condition called hypoglycaemia) because it blocks a key enzymeinvolved ingluconeogenesis. In malnourished kids, this cut-off from sources of energy other than glycogen can cause fever, convulsions and at times, a loss of consciousness.

Mohammed Alam was found crying in front of the pediatric ICU at SKMCH. A driver from neighboring Sitamarhi district, his five-year-old grandson Kamran has not opened his eyes in the last four days. Having lost a daughter earlier, Alam and his wife Mazzhabi, were praying hard to save the last memory of their dead daughter. Their son-in-law, a migrant worker in Mumbai, is yet to arrive. Amongst the inconsolable cries and helpless parents, the role of the government went on the backseat. With so many reasons, to blame onto, we actually missed that the sole reason that is the malnutrition and the pitiful conditions which has become a catalyst for the epidemic.

“Children did die in these four years but the numbers touched double digits just once, 11 in 2017. This year, however, the awareness drive has taken a backseat with the administration involved in polls and health department having other priorities," says a doctor in Muzaffarpur.The shocking part, though, is that it first surfaced in Muzaffarpur district in 1994, 25 years back, and they are still no answers.

The inefficiency and ignorance on the part of the government has been the reason of many muffled helpless cries. The lack of proper nutrition and basic need of adequate level of blood sugar, has created a doom in the city. These cries are just a silent vocalisation of the city, with nearly 45% under the age of 5 years with stunted growth. It might come as surprising to us, but Bihar and its health conditions has even surpassed the levels of health in African states.

Behind the flashes of being the top few fastest growing economies in the world, the real truth shows its grim face on the deathbeds of the hospitals of Bihar in huge numbers. This is a clear contemptible incident where children are dying due to malnutrition. And if such matters haven’t been looked into as fast as possible, this will become a mundane business of everyday.

Muzaffarpur, the state famous for its litchis, has its litchis yards deserted today.