Non-Covid patients struggle to find medical O2
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 29 2021: Even as increasingly severe Covid patients gasp for breath, non-Covid patients too are struggling for medical oxygen to survive.

Lourembam Suresh, the sole bread earner of a family in Kakwa Maibam Leikai ran from pillar to post enquiring about the channel through which he could get an oxygen concentrator for his ailing mother.

His mother, Lourembam ongbi Ibemu (66) is suffering from the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and she consistently needs medical oxygen for her treatment and survival.

The disease is a chronic inflammatory lung ailment that obstructs airflow from the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing and wheezing to patients.

"My mother has been suffering from COPD since 2017 and she has been undergoing treatment with medication and oxygen supply.

When her oxygen level drops, her nervousness would rise", Suresh said.

Non-Covid patients struggle to find medical O2

Exuding hope that the grievance in his family can be alleviated if a charitable organization or a generous person lent an oxygen concentrator to his family, Suresh went on to ask how he could reach Licypriya Kangujam for help.

Licypriya is a 9-year-old climate activist who has reportedly been sending oxygen concentrators and cylinders to Covid infected families in Manipur and other States.

He came to know about Licypriya extending oxygen support to Covid patients on social media sites and papers, Suresh said and informed that he has already sent a message to the child climate activist on Facebook and is waiting for a reply.

"I have sent pictures of my ailing mother and left messages pleading to send an oxygen concentrator on Licypriya's Facebook page," said Suresh expressing hope that he would soon get a reply.

After the second wave of Covid hit Manipur, there has been a rapid spike in the number of fresh cases daily.

The death toll due to the disease is also increasing steadily.

In consonant with these, the demand for medical oxygen has also increased with many Covid patients falling severely ill in hospitals across the State.

Dwelling on the hardship being faced in his family, Suresh maintained that he is the sole bread earner in his family and used to work as a butcher in a meat shop.

"The price of oxygen cylinders and the delivery charge has gone up during the pandemic and it has become a huge burden on my family in refilling the oxygen cylinders.

With no work available due to Covid induced restrictions, I am not able to earn money," Suresh said.

While resting his hope on Licypriya and other noble social workers for assistance, Suresh said he would do everything in his capacity to treat and save his ailing mother.