Social stigma, bad healthcare make Bidar dist a death zone

Bidar: Border district Bidar has the highest number of Covid-19 fatalities after Bengaluru. The reasons are clear — social stigma, delayed access to healthcare and mistaken attribution.
As of July 13, the district reported 53 deaths even as the administration is focused on curbing casualties. Health authorities launched a survey to track status of vulnerable persons to ensure timely access to health facilities.
Dr Maqsood Chanda, who works with the government on the pandemic, said reported numbers are lower than actual ones since many deaths haven’t come under the radar.He said, “People are not informing the administration about these deaths due to fear of home quarantine and social stigma. It’s possible that people coming from Hyderabad may be carriers and a cause for the spike in deaths.”
A study by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad showed that the virus is prevalent there. Many homes in Bidar have links with Hyderabad and people commute to and fro. He added that people live in small spaces and social distancing is nearly impossible.
Vinay Malge, head, Covid Volunteer Task Force, said social stigma is major cause and people conceal details about comorbidities and symptoms. “People feel they’ll be treated as outcasts in their own families. Some have even refused thermal testing,” he said.
He added that while some could had been saved had they were brought to hospital a little earlier, poor facilities at Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences and wrong attribution are other causes.
District Health Officer Dr VG Reddy told TOI that surveys are being done inside and near containment zones which will help track patients and provide care. Those with comorbidities and symptoms for infection are rushed to hospital. Children’s health is also being recorded. He admitted that nine Covid deaths were actually due to other reasons.