Bhubaneswar: The death toll in the mango kernel tragedy in Odisha’s Kandhamal district rose to three as one of the patients who fell critically ill after consuming gruel passed away on Monday while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack.
The deceased has been identified as Jita Majhi of Mandipanka village.
Majhi had been transferred to SCBMCH along with another patient from MKCG Medical College and Hospital (MKCGMCH) after their conditions worsened. While the second patient remains in critical condition and is receiving treatment, Majhi succumbed despite intensive care measures.
“Despite all our efforts, Jita Majhi, a victim of mango kernel poisoning who was on hemodialysis with ventilator support, passed away today at 2:15 pm in the Medicine ICU at SCB Medical College in Cuttack,” informed Professor Jayant Panda, head of the Department of Medicine.
Earlier, two tribal women, who had also consumed mango kernel gruel, died at MKCG MCH in Berhampur.
Six others were hospitalized in critical condition.
The incident occurred in Mandipanka village under the Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district.
BJD President and the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik has strongly criticised the state government over the reported deaths and called for immediate action to address the issue.