Lockdown should not curtail right to health care services: NPMHR
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 08 2020: Appealing the Government to revive all non-functioning health centres and equip them with staff and necessary facilities to treat and attend to expectant mothers and non-COVID emergencies, the Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has demanded investigation into all deaths of expectant mothers during the pandemic.

Pointing out that the prevailing health crisis situation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic is immensely affecting the poor and the tribal people in far flung areas, the NPMHR in a statement asserted that the denial of basic human rights and right to health amid the pandemic is causing increasing mortality among rural women and non-COVID patients.

The recent death of Kanpatliu Kamei, w/o Roshan Balang of Puichi village, Haochong sub-division, Noney district (presently residing at Makuilongdi village in Senapati) following denial of admission by at least five hospitals is a case of outright atrocity and injustice against the most vulnerable and marginalised section of people in the society.

This was not an isolated case but many similar cases went unreported, said NPMHR asserting that such incidents are symptoms of decades of institutional apathy.

The brunt of this lockdown has affected the common people and those living in the margin.

The State administrations should emphasize on healthcare, small farmers and cultivators, and those people who are vulnerable specially widows, physically challenged persons, pregnant women, children and old aged people.

It is pertinent for the Government to give equal emphasis to non-COVID patients as well and their right to access healthcare services should not be curtailed or limited by the imposition of harsh lockdown rules, said the rights group.

The NPMHR urged the Government to revive all non-functional health centres including dispensaries, Primary Health Centres and Primary Health Sub-Centres located in far flung areas with all facilities required.

The Government should give emphasis on maternity health.

There should be ambulances made available for any emergency case.

All District hospitals and Primary Health Centres should have obstetricians/gynaecologists.

All health benefits should be given to the pregnant women and lactating mothers, NPMHR demanded.

The Government should identify all those women who died due to maternal complication during the lockdown period and the enquiry committee constituted by the Health Department (GoM) should look into all the cases.

The enquiry committee should be expanded by including a retired Judge, a Police Inspector and a member of a reputed civil society organisation.

People of the State particularly those residing in the hill districts are facing numerous difficulties due to bad road condition and lack of internet connectivity.

The Government should not lose its sight on such basic infrastructure during this pandemic, added NPMHR.

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