Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 01:
Clarifying on the Sangai Express news report published in the June 1 edition under the caption 'Diarrhoea claims 11....' the Principal Secretary (Health) V Chhibber said his comment had been misinterpreted.
Asserting that the news item has raised unnecessary concerns and apprehensions and contains factual inaccuracy the Principal Secretary, while endorsing that there are conflicting reports of outbreak of diarrhoea in Churachandpur and Chandel districts nevertheless denied casualty of any sort so far.
On the other hand, the first information regarding outbreak of diarrhoea was received by the Health Department on May 30 with the department authorities despatching a team of medical specialists including one microbiologist to Sugnu PHC who reported widespread incidence of diarrhoea but no casualty so far.
Conveying army units operating in the general area of Sugnu reporting incidence of the disease, the Principal Secretary further informed that army medical teams had been providing emergency medical assistance in the said area to contain the disease from attaining epidemic proportion.
Based on the news report the Director of Health Services personally visited the Sugnu CHC today morning and consulted Thoubal CMO, medical personnel working at the CHC as well as Army officers supervising medical and relief assistance.
While there is still no report of casualty drinking water sources in the some of the villages would have to be tested to ascertain whether they are contaminated, said the statement and added that PHED authorities have been intimated to do the needful.
Meanwhile, a PIB (DW) statement informed of a medical team from the Army Brigade at Chakpikarong extending emergency medical treatment and supply of life saving drugs thereby preventing casualty from diarrhoea infections.
The medical team was rushed following reports of around 25 persons stricken by the disease and causing four casualties amongst children due to suspected outbreak of acute diarrhoea (Cholera) on May 30 but timely assistance by the Army checked deterioration of health conditions of the patients, it said.
On the other hand, the statement also denied news report of Army or Assam Rifles occupying medical centres for their accommodation.