Imphal, September 27: For the first time in many years, a free medical camp was organised in the remote Tousang village of Tamenglong district and managed to save the life of a girl from cerebral malaria by giving necessary medical treatment in time.

The free medical camp was organised under the joint aegis of All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA) and Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM).

Located at a walking distance of about 4 hours from Thangal, which is again situated 80 kms from Imphal along from Old Cachar Road, Tousang village under Nungba Sub-division of Tamenglong district is a remote malaria prone area.

During the course of the medical camp, the medical team detected positive case of cerebral malaria on the 12-year old girl.

Caused by Flasmodium Falsimodium, cerebral malaria is a type of malaria which is fatal if medical treatment is not given in time, according to Microscopist Dr A Jiten of National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme, Imphal who participated in the medical camp.

Dr Jiten informed that blood samples of the villagers suffering from suspected cases of malaria were collected and Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) during the medical camp and detected the girl suffering from cerebral malaria.

In all 85 villagers have been medically examined during the health camp and the educated persons of the village given the RDT kits along with imparting knowledge on their proper use and necessary medication, Dr Jiten said.

The facilities of the free medical camp held for over a period of two days at the Church premises of Tousang Khunou as well as at Tousang Khullen were availed by around 511 people, including 112 children.

In connection with organising the health camp, secretary of Thoubei (Village Court) Lungkhung Gonmei disclosed that with exception to the one medical health camp facilitated by then local MLA Prof Gangmumei Kamei, it is for the first time that such a comprehensive free medical camp for over a period of two days has been organised in the three villages of Tousang, namely Tousang Khullen, Tousang Keiwang and Tousang Khunou.

A medical team comprising of three doctors, three female nurses, three male nurses and five members of the Unemployed Pharmacists' Association conducted the camp.

According to the doctors, most of the children in the three villages are having symptoms of dysentery, diarrhoea, whooping cough, typhoid, etc which are caused mainly due to lack of personal hygiene.

Among the children who were examined, there are around 50 of them who are suffering from night blindness caused by lack of Vitamin A.Cases of anaemia and lack of calcium and chloric acid among pregnant mothers have also been detected during the camp.

Apart from this, the medical team have also detected 50 cases of stone formation in kidney, two cases of heart disease and six cases of stone formation in gall bladder besides two suspected cases of cervical cancer, the doctors said.

On the objective of organising the health camp, vice president of AMADA L Krishnamohan said it is part of the Health Care Mission of AMADA with special emphasis on taking care of the health of the people in remote areas of the State.

While informing that Prakash Medical Store had provided most of the required medicines , Krishnamohan said AMADA has taken serious note of the failure of the State Government and its related department to give a positive response when approach for assistance in connection with organising the health camp.

Comment