Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 03:
Reports have been received of numerous villagers falling prey to mysterious ailments as well as common diseases in and around Khamasom area of Chingai Block in Ukhrul district.
Conveying the situation to mediapersons at manipur Press Club today, president of Ukhrul-based Yangraphei Conference's Tuithing Zingkhai said apart from unknown ailments having claimed many lives so far outbreak of typhoid, diarrhoea, measles, common cold and high prevalence of tuberculosis have been afflicting villagers of Khamasom, Khamasom Khullen, Khamasom Phungrei, Lungthar, Sihai Khullen, Sihai Khunou, Poi, Huishu and Chingai areas located along the indo-Myanmar border.
Inspite of many casualties having been reported from these areas this year so far the exact figure is not available or could not be confirmed by the Conference, Zingkhai conceded.
Pointing out the harsh realities of the villages, he said that though the nearby villages of Khamasom are only about 45 kilometres from Ukhrul district headquarters they are yet to enjoy the benefits of modern health care facilities.
The problem is further compounded due to unavailability and absence of medical practitioners at these villages.
Whenever some villagers fall sick and necessitates treatment at district headquarters transportation of patient/s is another problem endangering survival as the only jeepable road is impossible to traverse in rainy season which ironically is also the season of disease outbreaks, Zingkhai informed.
The president also summed up the precarious situation besieging Khamasom area villagers by recalling recovery of a woman named as L angamla last month while tending her field, cause of which could not be confirmed.
Moreover, cases of three children succumbing to unidentifiable disease, admission of over 10 persons at Ukhrul district hospital currently and many more patients unable to avail medical attention and fighting for survival are some of the numerous problems being endured by villagers settled in remote areas, added Zingkhai.
With the Yangraphei Conference representatives apprising woes of the villagers to the Chief Secretary and intimating the matter to the Chief Minister, the Ukhrul district Deputy Commissioner is said to have received instruction to personally assess the situation.
Zingkhai also lamented that till date neither the Government officials and personnel nor any Imphal-based NGOs had initiated to organise medical camps at Poi village.
He, however, hastened to add that with DESAM set to conduct a free medical camp in the said village on August 10 there is high expectation such endeavour would be able to mitigate some of the medical requirements.
Absence of power supply, lack of hygienic drinking water and pathetic condition in the sector of education are many of the grievances that could take ages in addressing taking into account callousness of the State authorities, opined the president.