For many mine workers here, it began as a respiratory problem. And most of them were diagnosed with tuberculosis. Only later it became known that it was silicosis — an incurable disease caused by exposure to silica dust — and not TB.
Earlier this year, the National Institute of Miners’ Health (NIMH) detected 222 cases of silicosis among stone mine workers, in collaboration with Dang Vikas Sansthan (DVS), an associate of ARAVALI (Association for Rural Advancement through Voluntary Action and Local Involvement), a non-government organisation initiated by the government of Rajasthan and voluntary agencies.
The findings shows that of the 138 X-rays evaluated, 53 (38.4 per cent) had evidence of silicosis.
The detailed report, ‘Detection of Silicosis Among Stone Mine Workers from Dholpur District’ authored by the then Director of NIMH P.K. Sishodiya and his colleagues S.S. Nandi and S.V. Dhatrak, was submitted to the Directorate-General of Mines Safety (DGMS), the District Collector, the Ministry of Mines, the Ministry of Labour and Employment and other agencies.
A rehabilitation and relief programme has been initiated, including ex gratia payment by the State government, and treatment of those affected.
(This is the concluding article of the two-part series)
