Churachandpur, April 23: The Central Emergency Medical Relief team is to tour epidemic-hit Manipur's Hmarram area (Parbung-sub division) of Churachandpur district, during this week.

This was informed by Delhi Hmar Welfare Association's secretary Mr D Khobung after the Famine Relief Committee (FRC) several representations to the Union Health and Family Ministry in New Delhi on Tuesday.

"In response to the numerous representations submitted by the FRC to the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry asking the Central's Emergency Medical Relief to tour epidemic-hit Hmarram area of Manipur, the Chief Medical Officer of the Directorate General of Health Services has assured us that a central team, which includes epidemiologist, pediatrician, micro-biologist and host of other doctors will be visiting Manipur during this week if everything goes as planned," Mr Khobung said over phone from New Delhi.

So far 29 children have died in Hmarram area of Parbung sub-division.

Official sources believed that the disease could be some kind of respiratory disease related to pneumonia.

However, it is yet to be ascertained, said state health officials who are camping in the area.

"We met the CMO several times during the last two weeks.

Today (Tuesday), he personally stated that the Centre was concerned about the recent deaths and was also keeping track of the measures taken by the state government," Mr Khobung claimed.

In a big embarrassment to the Manipur government, Mr Khobung said, the CMO told them that Manipur was not doing enough to check the spread of the disease as compared to Mizoram government which he said was way ahead in providing relief works to epidemic and Mautam victims.

"He also told us that the World Health Organization was informed about the developments in Manipur," the Hmar leader claimed.

Meanwhile, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences director Dr.L Fimate has directed a team of 8 doctors to treat the sick.

On Tuesday the team which includes pediatric, gynaecologist, ENT specialist, physicians and micro-biologist reached Parbung, the sub-divisional headquarters of the affected area.

The team is equipped with a laboratory, set up in three Sumos, for on the spot study of the deadly virus.

The medical team is expected to tour almost all villages in Hmarram area in the coming weeks.

* The writer of this news can be contacted at lalmalsawm(at)gmail(dot)com .

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