Bhubaneswar: A tribal resident of Kandhamal district, who was battling organ failure after consuming mango kernel gruel, died on Sunday at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. The deceased, identified as Jita Majhi, passed away at 2:15 PM despite intensive medical efforts.
“Despite all our efforts, we couldn’t save Jita Majhi. He was undergoing hemodialysis with ventilator support but succumbed to the effects of mango kernel poisoning,” said Professor Jayant Panda, head of the Department of Medicine at SCB.
The tragic incident originated in Mandipanka village near Daringbadi in Kandhamal district, where two individuals died and six others fell seriously ill after consuming mango kernel gruel—a traditional but risky food practice in impoverished tribal areas. Majhi, along with another critically ill patient, was transferred to SCB Medical College for advanced treatment. Both patients suffered multi-organ failure, with Jita showing only a slight response to treatment before his condition deteriorated.
The incident has brought attention to the dire socio-economic conditions that force tribal communities to consume unsafe food alternatives, particularly during periods of scarcity. Authorities are investigating the circumstances and are expected to take measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Local healthcare providers and NGOs have called for increased awareness campaigns and access to safer food supplies in tribal regions, stressing the urgent need for interventions to improve living standards and nutritional security in vulnerable communities.
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