Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 08:
The Kuki Students' Organization Ukhrul district has claimed that nine persons, including six children have died due to outbreak of malaria and whooping cough in some pockets of Ukhrul district.
When queried Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul district Dr Suhel Akhtar maintained that information on the outbreak of the diseases or human casualty are yet to received.
He, however, informed of sending medical team with medicines and requisite materials tomorrow to ascertain facts as well as provide initial medical treatment if required.
In any doctors are found absent from their respective posts in the affected area prompt punitive action would be initiated against the recalcitrant medical personnel.
No comments on the matter could be extracted from either the Health Commissioner AR Khan or Director Dr Ch Chandramani as they are reported to be out of station while contact could not be established with the Health Minister Dr Chaltonlien Amo.
A publicity wing press release of KSO blamed lack of proper immunization and absence of doctors at medical centres in the effected villages as the main cause of deaths.
In Maokot village alone the number of children failing prey to whooping cough has reached six and expressed concern of increase in casualty figure if State authorities continue to undermine the seriousness of the situation, said the KSO.
The deceased children have been identified by the student body as Doulal Haokip (5) s/o Mrs Hatneihoi Haokip; Lunkhomang Kipgen (2) s/o Paokapthang; Lunkhoiang Haokip (2) s/o Ngainu; Ngulkholam Haokip (1) s/o Nengtinngah; Manghou Haokip (3) s/o Hepao Haokip; and Helen Kipgen (2) s/o Lhingneihou Kipgen.
Informing that malaria epidemic has reached dangerous proportion in the border village of Chassad, KSO further informed of three persons succumbing to the outbreak so far with fear of increase in the casualty number still looming large.
The deceased persons have been identified as Veikholam Haokip and Paokholun Haokip of Gampal village and Jammang Haokip of Chassad village.
Alleging that not a single doctor could be found at Maokot dispensary and Kamjong Health Centre to attend to the needy patients KSO fervently appealed to the State Government to provide medical personnel and material to check further spread of the dreaded diseases.