MP: Thousands of tribal mining workers in the grip of silicosis disease in Panna!- Ground Report
Workers working in stone mines start looking old within 35 to 40 years. Most die between the ages of 45 to 50.
Published on: 15 May 2024, 6:19 pm
Bhopal. Hundreds of laborers in Panna district of Madhya Pradesh, which produces precious diamonds and stones, are forced to die untimely without proper and effective treatment. The situation is such that a tribal laborer suffering from a disease called silicosis does not even have money for treatment.
45-year-old Lachchulal Adivasi from Badaur village of Panna district has silicosis. Showing the treatment papers to The Mooknayak representative, he says, “I have been working in the mines as a stone breaker for the last 17 years. Three years ago, I started having trouble breathing and also had a cough. The problem was gradually increasing. After a few days, I started feeling short of breath. I went to Panna government hospital with my wife, the doctor said that I had TB and started taking medicine.
“Even after a month, there was no relief, the problem got worse. We again went to the hospital. The doctor said that a CT scan would have to be done. When the examination was done, it was found that I was suffering from silicosis. The doctor said that I needed good treatment. “Go to Bhopal. We don’t have money. Compensation will be given after death,” Lachhu Lal said.
Lachhu Lal Adivasi showing treatment documents, Photo: Ankit Pachauri, The Mooknayak
There is a house of Lachhu Lal tribal in a corner of Badaur village of Panna district. Their family lives in mud walls and a wooden hut. Lachhu has two sons and two daughters.
With tears in his eyes, Lachhu Lal Adivasi said – “We have three acres of agricultural land. Thought of selling a little land. In the public hearing of the Collector, we sought permission to sell one acre of land. The Collector rejected the application saying that “Tribals cannot sell the land. The government is neither helping for treatment nor allowing them to sell the land.”
The husband and father-in-law of Trasia Adivasi of Gandhi village in the same district have also taken the life of silicosis disease. Eight years ago, Trasia’s father-in-law Biran Adivasi had died. After a few years her husband Imratlal died. The financial condition of Trasia, who is living in a mud and tile house, is very bad.
Trasia told The Mooknayak that her father-in-law and husband were mine workers for a long time. The father-in-law’s illness was discovered, but there was no money for her husband’s treatment and investigation, so she could get compensation for the death of her father-in-law Biran Singh.
Deceased Imratlal Adivasi.
Trasia further said – “The stone quarry is responsible for my husband’s death. He died due to silicosis disease but the government does not accept this. We all know that working in the quarry is dangerous, but for the sake of employment both my The sons are breaking stones in the mine.”
Trasiya Adivasi sitting outside the house. Photo: Ankit Pachauri, The Mooknayak
We asked Trasia why she is no longer afraid that two people in her family have died due to labor in the mines? In response to our question, Trasia said in Bundelkhandi colloquialism – “Every time there is a worry about Rahat, whether Bachchan should work in the mine, if he does not work, then how will he burn the stove in the house.”
House of a Trasia Adivasi in Gandhi Gram. Photo: Ankit Pachauri, The Mooknayak.
Thousands of people are suspected to be suffering from silicosis in Panna district. The biggest victims are the tribals of this area. He has been working in stone mines for years. The situation is such that even after the occurrence of silicosis, the district does not have the facilities and experts to identify it. In the year 2021, a city scan machine has been installed in the district hospital, through which this disease is being detected.
Samina Yusuf, director of Prithvi Trust, which is working for the mining workers in the district, told The Mooknayak that the government is not serious about the workers working in the mines. He said, “According to government figures, so far 26 people have died due to this disease, but we cannot trust these figures.”
“From the experience of working in the field, we can say that thousands of laborers have lost their lives due to silicosis. As a form of help, the government provides financial assistance of Rs. 3 lakh to those who die due to this disease. These also Only 18 people have received compensation.” Sameena said.
Only three camps were held in 12 years
According to the information received from Prithvi Trust, in the last 12 years, the Health Department has so far organized three camps for the health checkup and treatment of mining workers. In the year 2012, a camp was organized in collaboration with Prithvi Trust and District Hospital, in which 27 silicosis patients came forward. In the year 2017, a camp was organized in which 14 patients were identified. A camp was organized in 2022.
Sameena said – “At first the health department was not even ready to accept this. The tribal laborers of this area would be suffering from silicosis disease. Those who had the problem were treated with TB medicines. The symptoms of this disease are similar to those of TB. The number of tests is less, so cases are not reported. Almost every worker working in the mines is suffering from this deadly disease.
Panna’s Chief Medical Officer Dr B S Upadhyay told The Muknayak that camps are being organized from time to time to deal with silicosis. Tests are also being conducted, and mining workers are treated free of cost at the hospital. Currently, about 30 patients are registered with us for this disease. We asked the CMHO if there is a specialist for this disease in the district hospital? He said, “The doctors who are there, treat it.”
Attempt to hide data!
There is a big business of mines in Panna district. The tribals of Bundelkhand region are earning employment by working as laborers in these mines, but due to working in the mines for a long time, they become vulnerable to silicosis disease.
Due to the negligence of the district administration and health department, most of the mining workers here are dying in the age group of 35 to 45 years. The people of the village here say that hundreds of people have died and the number of deaths due to silicosis continues. These figures are not in the government papers.
Sarpanch of Badaur village, Alpana Singh said that till now 8 to 10 laborers have died due to silicosis disease in her village. It is a different matter that only a few deaths were recorded in the government statistics, most of the people working in the mines remain ill.
More than 200 mines!
Local journalist of the district, Ajit Khare said that the health condition of the tribals in this area is very critical. They are malnourished due to lack of awareness and unemployment. Ajit said – “There will be more than two hundred mines including diamond and stone in the district, thousands of laborers work in them. Some mines are also illegal. Especially illegal mining is taking place near the legal mines. There are thousands of silicosis patients. “Maybe, but it is not recorded in government statistics.”
This is how silicosis happens
Stone dust reaches the lungs of laborers working in stone mines for years and starts settling through breath. Gradually the lungs become hard like stones. No cure for this disease has been discovered yet. Workers working in stone mines start looking old within 35 to 40 years. Most die between the ages of 45 to 50. The health of the workers working in the mines is not checked.
