Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla reviewed healthcare in Balaghat after deaths among Baiga children, according to Akashvani's September 13 evening report. He directed officials to register pregnancies promptly, maintain antenatal checks, identify high-risk pregnancies and work towards institutional deliveries throughout the remote and rural areas under review.
Akashvani reported that 67 medical officers had been posted and Rs 2 crore approved for health facilities. Instructions covered two primary health centres, a sub-health centre and two mobile medical units, alongside full childhood vaccination and early treatment of congenital conditions. These were the measures reported at the review, rather than a clinical explanation for the deaths.
The scale of the response was already visible in figures published by The Times of India on September 13. A survey through September 10 examined 6,342 people in Kundekasa, Adori, Korka and Bandari. It identified 1,149 patients: 663 were treated at home and 486 admitted to hospitals. Of those admitted, 446 had been discharged and 40 remained under treatment.
Later reporting, October 9: The Indian Express described findings from the National Joint Outbreak Response Team, which visited in August and submitted its report in September. The district lacked an epidemiologist and a public-health laboratory; the microbiologist position was vacant. Kundekasa had lacked an ASHA worker for more than a year, weakening detection and follow-up.
The investigation found measles and malaria alongside smaller numbers of other infections. It also identified fragmented records across surveillance, laboratory, vaccination and nutrition programmes. The team examined three deaths in detail but did not establish one disease as the cause of the entire cluster. Its report did not give a consolidated death count.
District health chief Shatrughan Dahiya told the newspaper that the local investigation indicated around 12 deaths with the reported symptoms since June, while 32 cases had been earmarked for compensation. He said staffing gaps were being addressed and nutrition supplies strengthened. Those differently defined figures should not be read as a single medically confirmed toll.
