Imphal, February 22: Despite the Centre launching the Rural Health Mission Programme to improve the health infrastructure in the rural and interior parts of the country, the people of Tamenglong district continue to be caught in a time warp without the benefits of modern medicare.

Take the case of this pregnant woman who have not been able to defecate or urinate for the past two weeks due to some complications.

The woman, Taksele Panmei, hails from Tousem Khullen and this reporter chanced upon her while she was being taken on a stretcher by the villagers to Tamenglong head quarters for necessary treatment.

The chance encounter ensued when this reporter accompanied the DC of Tamenglong, T Pamei on an inspection tour of the road construction underway to connect Tousem with Tamenglong headquarters.

The road incidentally is being constructed under the Rashtriya Seva Vikas Yojna.

The distance between Tousem and Tamenglong headquarters is 65 kms and each household of the village chipped in with one male member each and they took the onus of taking the ailing woman on the stretcher all the way to Tamenglong.

The woman could not be immediately taken either to the district headquarters or Imphal as there was no simply no money.

The villagers gave a detailed account of the sufferings faced by the pregnant woman to the DC and the officer donated a sum of Rs 5000 for her medical expenses.

The ailing woman reached Tamenglong district headquarters yesterday at about 6 pm after starting the journey at about 6.30 am the same day.

Doctors at the district headquarters advised that the ailing woman be immediately shifted to Imphal.

Condition at Maldiu was no different and it was a heart rending sight to see a mother coming to meet with her two blind sons and seeking his help.

Talking to this reporter the DC said that such stories are not new in Tamenglong and added that the district administration has been trying its best to help the people in all possible manner.

President of the Tousem Headquarters Students' Union, Ngaikeulong Newmei said that the PHC at Tousem is for all practical purpose defunct.

One doctor who is posted there was on leave when the pregnant woman became ill, he said and added there is no life saving drugs at the hospital.

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