Risking health for a clean Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: Scant regard for personal health is making many a Kudumbashree worker, especially those involved in door-to-door garbage collection, fall sick.
A study conducted by the medical college's community medicine department had found that the workers were exposed to various health risks. The study, conducted among 408 Kudumbashree workers, found them to be suffering from various ailments, which have, at times, forced many of them to quit.
The civic body claimed it has been providing six gloves a year to each worker.
Former additional district medical officer Dr M K Appunny said frequent hand injuries suffered while segregating waste would lead to abscess in kidneys and heart in the long run.
"Chances of getting hepatitis A, cholera, diarrhoea, typhoid are high among women collecting waste without using protective gloves. There is also a chance for various types of skin allergies,'' he said.
According to the Kozhikode Kudumbashree project office, 360 workers have been involved in garbage collection. In 2000, the number was 750. The civic body has provided a vehicle each for 75 wards to transport waste to the Njeliyanparamba trenching ground. Additionally, the civic body had shelled out Rs 10.6 lakh for providing gloves and other accessories to women engaged in waste collection.
"Though the members take away the gloves, majority of them are not using it,'' she said. "The Kudumbashree project office here had distributed slippers, uniforms, gloves and raincoats for the year,'' Sheeja Vinod, Kudumbashree community development society chairperson, said.
A Kudumbashree worker at Varakkal said what have been preventing them from using the protective gear. "Sometimes they forget to bring the gloves. Also, a pair of gloves lasts just a week. The gloves they distributing are not sufficient,'' she said, requesting anonymity.
Ramsi Ismail, Corporation Kudumbashree project officer said that the civic body had distributed three pair of gloves two months ago.
"Majority of them are not using the gloves while segregating waste which is a cause of concern for us. We are planning to conduct an awareness programme on the importance of using gloves while collecting waste,'' he said. "The Kudumbashree will distribute 10 pairs of gloves each this year and a sum of Rs 15 lakh has been set aside for purchasing them,'' he added.