Rising dengue cases and lack of BPL cards add to struggles for poor

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: While Bengaluru is a major economic hub, a significant population still lives below the poverty line.

A Below Poverty Line (BPL) card, issued by the state government, helps families access subsidised food grains and other benefits.

Priority Household (PHH) ration cards, for instance, allow holders to purchase essential food items like rice, wheat, sugar, and kerosene at subsidised rates from fair-price shops. BPL cards are also crucial for applying for scholarships, obtaining passports, getting income certificates, and enrolling in other government schemes.

As the number of dengue cases in Karnataka continues to rise, Tushar Girinath, Chief Commissioner of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has also been affected, reports confirmed on Monday. Girinath, currently recovering at home, is expected to be on leave for the next 3 days.

From January to June 22 this year, approximately 5,100 dengue cases were detected in Karnataka. Within the BBMP's jurisdiction, 1,230 cases were confirmed over the past six months out of 4,063 blood samples tested.

The lack of BPL ration cards has left many poor families struggling. The recent death of Khajal at Vani Vilas Hospital has triggered panic among slum dwellers and social workers Five-year-old Khajal’s family incurred debts exceeding Rs 38,000 due to medical expenses.

Medical services can be accessed at free or concessional rates at government hospitals, but without a BPL card, the costs can be prohibitive. The family claims she died of dengue, raising fears of a possible outbreak in their area. Khajal, a resident of Jolly Mohalla in Sultanpet, showed symptoms of fever, cough, cold, loose motion, and body pain on June 13.

She was not tested for dengue until two days before her passing, and her family claims the doctors were not transparent. Khajal’s mother, Divya, described the ordeal stating, "When the fever didn't subside after four days, I took my daughter back to the hospital. They claimed so many things that I did not even understand and said my daughter had to be admitted."

After admission, multiple tests were conducted, each costing between Rs 1,000 and Rs 5,000. "I spent more than Rs 30,000 and had to borrow money from lenders with high interest, which ended up useless as my daughter died on Thursday morning," she lamented.

Divya and her husband, a coolie worker, barely earn enough to cover daily food expenses. They are not alone; many families face similar hardships due to the unavailability of BPL cards.

In an X post by Raghavendra B Pachhapur, Zameera Sultana from Farukh Nagar shared her struggle with her six-year-old daughter’s heart condition, hoping to get a BPL card to afford the necessary treatment.

The issuance of BPL cards for patients with chronic diseases and other vulnerable populations is critical. Without these cards, the poorest families continue to suffer, unable to access essential services and support.