Children - Terre des Hommes

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As well as malaria, the most common child health complaints
across all the districts were pneumonia, coughs, colds and
diarrhoea (from the lack of clean water and sanitation
available). In all the communities visited by the research
team, people said that their children had been vaccinated
against polio but most were unsure if their children had had
any other vaccinations, and check-up following birth seemed
to be rare.
Stagnant water in mine pits, breeding mosquitoes, Kaliber
(Photo July 2009)
home, they are forced to return to work within 15–20 days
after delivery. One pregnant woman interviewed complained
of intense pain in her chest. Besides, the distance to the PHC
being too far, the women cannot afford to give their time and
money to travelling to the PHC for any treatment.
Across all the mining areas, people told of an increase in malaria
due to the stagnant water in the mines. This was supported
by the PHC in Jodhpur district, where the nurse explained
that the water level increases in the mines in the rainy season,
allowing mosquitoes to breed and leading to an increase
in malaria cases. According to the nurse, the area had been
identified with a ‘red dot’ by the World Health Organisation to
show that it was a highly malaria affected area.
It is not just mine workers who are suffering from increased
health problems in the area. In Thumbli village, Barmer
district, villagers reported an increase in health problems
amongst the communities living near the lignite mines.
The plant works day and night, covering the whole area
with dust. People said they were now bringing up black
phlegm when they cough. The village was also witnessing an
increase in malaria, which they attribute to the wastewater
from the mining plant. In Fidusar Chopar PHC, the nurse
also reported a large number of liver problems from alcohol
abuse and claimed that more than 90 per cent of male mine
workers consumed alcohol every day. He also explained how
more than 200 mining trucks passed through this area every
day and many of these truck drivers have sexual relations
with local women. However, they only recently started
HIVtesting in the PHC, so they did not yet have data
available on this. 119
Many of the children in the mining areas seemed to be
suffering from malnutrition. “We don’t know what we will
eat tomorrow” explained one female mine worker, living in
Bhuri Beri, in Jodhpur district. One woman interviewed was
carrying a small baby who looked no more than 9 months
old, but she claimed he was 2 years of age. In several villages,
women said their children had never been weighed or their
growth, measured. Residents of Thumbi village, Barmer
district, claimed that there had been an increase in children’s
illnesses, particularly malnutrition, malaria and fever since
the lignite mining plant began operations 15 years ago. 120
Interviews carried out by MLPC with Salumber PHC, in
Morilla village, Udaipur district revealed that levels of child
malnutrition were also high in the mining area there. The
PHC staff explained how most of the children in the area
were malnourished; among the families involved in mining,
all their children were found to be malnourished. 121
It is hardly surprising that child malnutrition levels are
said to be increasing in these areas. With the breakdown
in agriculture, many people interviewed said that they had
almost no vegetables in their diet. They eat twice a day and
their meal consists of roti and occasionally dal, though often
just chillies. Before, people grew their own vegetables; but
now they have to buy them in local towns and these are very
expensive. Many families just could no longer afford to buy
vegetables.
Malnutrition coupled with hazardous work results in the
children suffering from several chronic and persistent
ailments. Body pains, respiratory infections and dizziness
were the common complaints that children working in the
mines stated. In order to withstand these, it was also clear
that they were addicted to gutka and alcohol. We saw child
labourers quarrelling with their mothers to give back some
of their wages in order to purchase these drugs.
119. Interview with nurse, PHC in Fidusar Chopar, Jodhpur district, July 2009.
120. Interview with residents of Thumbli village, Barmer district, July 2009.
121. MLPC interview with Salumber PHC, Morilla village, Udaipur district, October 2009.