Ex-gratia given to encephalitis affected families

As many as 41 encephalitis affected families of the district have been given an ex-gratia relief of Rs 50,000 each by the Medical Health and Family Welfare department here, officials said.
Chief Medical Officer M P Singh distributed the cheques of Rs 50000 each to the families from Bhathat, Pipraich and Chargawan blocks yesterday, they said.
The beneficiaries included families in which any member has either died or has developed permanent disability due to encephalitis, they said.
According to data available, over 20,000 patients of Japanese Encephalitis have died in Terai region of Uttar Pradesh since 1978 when the disease surfaced in the area for the first time.

An awareness programme was also organised on the occasion.