Encephalitis is a curse for the eastern part
of Uttar Pradesh. During the last decade, it proved fatal for hundreds of
children in the districts of Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Siddharthanagar and
Maharajganj. The situation has become even more critical because of lack of
medical aid required to cope, as well as negligence of hygiene in affected
areas.
This year, from January to November 21, 569 patients died of
encephalitis. In 2011, 627 died and 619 in 2013. In the period of 2005 to 2013,
4,775 encephalitis patients died. This is from the records of BRD Medical
College at Gorakhpur, where patients from the neighbouring districts of
Kushinagar, Siddharthanagar and Deoria are referred. Patients from adjoining
districts of Bihar and Nepal come here too.
The National Institute of Virology in Pune established a laboratory in
the medical college campus in 2007 to diagnose the virus at a cost of `15
crore. A 100-bed encephalitis ward was also constructed last year at a cost of `22 crore, in addition to the special ward
already in the main hospital. Although the medical college gets no specific
funds for the treatment of encephalitis, the state government sanctions amounts
every year through Provincial Medical Services. The civil hospital in Gorakhpur
received `8 crore this year.
My plan is to document the agony of families who lost their dear ones
and the irony of those who could survive. Abhishek, 14, is an encephalitis
victim and survivor who has not been able to utter a single world in the last
10 years. Ali Siddiqui lost two grandchildren; he cries while holding his only
granddaughter.
These stories are deeply moving and a challenge to medical science.

Fourteen-year-old
Abhishek in Sukrauli Bazar, Padrauna, a town in Uttar Pradesh.

Abhishek with his mother. Ten years ago, he had asked for water, and that was the last time his family members heard him speak.


The instructions painted on the wall give no answers on how to tackle the disease.


A photo of nine-year-old Anuj Patel who died of encephalitis. The sole compensation received by his family was an India Mark II handpump.


A child at the BRD Medical College hospital in Gorakhpur.

Ali Siddiqui in Padrauna, Uttar Pradesh, lost two of his grandchildren to encephalitis. Here he holds his only surviving grandchild.


Jalimunnisha, who lives in Khotahi, lost her two sons to encephalitis.



The family of Anuj Patel. Anuj died at the age of nine from encephalitis in the jungle village of Vishunpura. Officials gave the family a new handpump after the incident, but they are still waiting for the monetary compensation promised by the state government to all affected families.