GORAKHPUR is known as capital of eastern Uttar Pradesh, which was rightly chosen as the venue of the convention on Encephalitis, an epidemic affecting large parts of Eastern UP. Encephalitis was first detected in the year 1978 in Gorakhpur. Since then, around 15 thousand children have died of this dreaded disease. It is estimated that 90% of the casualties have affected poorer sections of society. During the year 2012, 1256 cases of Encephalitis were detected out of which 557 cases resulted into death. During the current year from January to August 2014, 342 children have died in Gorakhpur alone. The other districts of eastern UP such as Deoria, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Santkabirnagar, Siddharthnagar etc are equally affected by this deadly disease. Yogi Adityanath, five-time MP of Gorakhpur is more interested in spreading hatred through his speeches on "Love Jehad" and least worried about the virus of Encephalitis in his own district.

                Despite the fact that Encephalitis is spread over a large part of eastern UP and has been active for more than three decades, no effective measures have been taken to fight the menace. The large number of deaths caused by the epidemic has not been taken note by the media or the central government or the state government. The kind of concerted efforts needed to tackle the problem are missing. It was in the year 2013, that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) visited Gorakhpur, met the people and gave its recommendations to the government, but still the situation has not improved.

                It is in this background that the Gorakhpur district committee of the CPI(M) took the initiative and a convention was organised on September 17. Sudha Sunderaraman, vice president of AIDWA and Central Committee member of the CPI(M) was the main speaker. Many people including intellectuals, CPI, CPI(ML) leaders, activists and journalists attended the convention.

                Javed Aziz, district secretary of the Party, while conducting the proceedings threw light on the epidemic. He said that Encephalitis was first detected in Japan in the year 1912. It is a virus spread through one particular type of mosquito which is found in paddy fields, pits of dirty water and ponds. These mosquitoes are capable of spreading the virus upto 5 km radius. The virus spreads very fast in pigs. He underlined that the state, central governments during the last three decades have not paid requisite attention, and allocated resources to meet the challenge. The problem of the epidemic is a very big issue in Gorakhpur and in eastern UP.

                Malti, a member of UP state committee and Gorakhpur district committee of the Party placed the resolution in the beginning of the convention. The resolution underlined the seriousness of the disease, listed the causes and proposed important measures to combat the epidemic.

                Some of the important steps which were proposed include fogging of affected areas, construction of toilets, proper drainage system and setting up of Encephalitis wards in all hospitals with sufficient number of beds and proper infrastructure.

                Thereafter a lively discussion took place on the resolution. Suresh Rai of CPI demanded setting up of AIIMS like medical institute where proper research along with treatment of patients could be undertaken. Rajesh Sahni of CPI (ML) demanded that Encephalitis be declared as an epidemic and the government should provide more funds. He suggested that proper treatment should be available at the primary health centre level itself instead of rushing to district hospitals/medical college. Manoj Singh, senior journalist of Hindustan newspaper gave very important and useful information. He informed that presently 10% of the cases are of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) while 90% of the cases fall into the category of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES).  The government and the administration woke up for the first time in the year 2005 when more than 1500 deaths were reported. Vaccination was started in the year 2006 covering seven districts which were worst affected. He observed that provision of safe drinking water and of toilets are the decisive steps which can lead to total eradication of Encephalitis. He said that Encephalitis also causes mental/physical disability apart from deaths in equal measure. However no rehabilitation is provided so for. He informed that chief minister  Akhilesh Yadav inaugurated 100 bed ward for Encephalitis last year but doctors and staff are yet to be appointed there.

Sudha Sunderaraman while addressing the gathering promised to get the issue raised in parliament through the Party MPs. She emphasised that concrete steps are required to tackle the problem. There should be separate provision of funds in the budget and strict monitoring should be in place. All necessary facilities for free treatment should be available in all hospitals. She attacked the policies of privatisation followed by governments which favour corporates only. Governments are abdicating their responsibilities towards poorer sections. She emphasised that the disease is directly related to the absence of cleanliness/ safe drinking water and nutrition. That is the reason, she  said that Left parties attach so much importance to the implementation of food security act. She called upon the AIDWA, Kisan Sabha, agriculture workers union and other mass organisations to fight for the rights of poor sections of society.

                Madhu Garg, member of the state secretariat of the Party presided over the function. She said that the important suggestions put forward by speakers shall be incorporated in the resolution so that the fight against Encephalitis could be taken forward. She exhorted all the participants to unitedly fight for the cause because then no public authority could afford to ignore the issues which affected the masses at large.