Double blow to women from Vaddera Basti

The women used to work as domestic maids and fell sick fired from jobs

The illness which has swept through Vaddera Basti in Madhapur claiming two lives and hospitalised more than 60 people, had a direct impact on livelihoods too. However, cause of the illness remains a ‘mystery’.

Several women from the basti used to work as domestic helps. Some of them, who had to spend 5-10 days at hospitals for their treatment or had to attend to their sick family members, were fired from the jobs.

As they stayed away from work for many days, they were replaced.

Two weeks ago, scores of residents from the basti started to fall sick, complaining of vomiting and diarrhea. Chinna Bheemaiah (27) and Kannamma (88) who got admitted have died. K Buggappa (48) and K Mogulappa (33) who developed kidney diseases are still at hospital.

One family that continues to experience the direct and indirect impact of the illness stays at a rented home in the narrow alleys of the basti. A Venkatamma’s husband Lakshman used to earn daily wages as a stone cutter. Ms Venkatamma used to work as a domestic help at two flats. Mr Lakshman underwent treatment for over a week. Though discharged from hospital, he did not recover yet. This means he cannot attend work.

“Since I too had to be away from work for over a week as domestic help, I was fired from job. Now, my family has to survive on salary from one flat. I have two daughters and want to educate them at a good school,” said Venkatamma.

Her neighbor, J Venkatamma (40), comes out of her home with hospital records. “I too underwent treatment for the illness for five days, and took five more days to recover completely. In the meantime, I was fired as domestic help. Now, I don’t have a job,” she said.