Assam Rifles plays spoilsport, medical tourism suffers setback
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 06, 2014: The special initiative taken up by Chief Minister O Ibobi himself under which Myanmar nationals were allowed to visit Manipur for medical treatment with a vision to make Manipur a major destination of medical tourism has been nipped at the bud as Assam Rifles have prohibited entry of all Myanmar nationals.

By analogy, AR's total ban on entry of Myanmar nationals into Manipur has put India's Look East Policy on the backfoot.

In the past few years, Myanmar nationals were allowed to visit Manipur for medical treatment after verification by Manipur Police and with due permission of the DGP.

This initiative was taken at the behest of Chief Minister O Ibobi and some medical professionals with the twin objectives of helping Myanmar which is relatively backward in healthcare and at the same time promote Manipur as a popular destination of medical tourism.

Under this arrangement, Myanmar nationals used to visit Imphal in groups for medical treatment at Government and private hospitals and they were satisfied with the healthcare facilities given to them.

Chief Ministers of Myanmar's Mandalay and Saigaing divisions event visited Imphal and oversaw the medical facilities given to Myanmar nationals.

Indo-Myanmar Friendship Gate at Moreh, a border town between India and Myanmar :: File Pix by CK Sharma

Moreover, the Government of India gave approval to the State Government to issue 'health visa' on arrival to Myanmar nationals at Moreh.

After Assam Rifles prohibited Myanmar nationals from visiting Manipur since April this year, many Myanmarese nationals who need post surgery treatments as well those who need fresh diagnosis and treatment have been putting up at Tamu town.

Talking with The Sangai Express at Tamu some of the patients said that they first furnished photographs to Manipur Police for verification.

"We used to go to Imphal in groups for medical treatment for myriad health problems including removal of calculus, hepatitis, health check-up and Assam Rifles allowed us free passage", they said.

But since the last part of April this year, AR troops put all Myanmar nationals under an agonising process of checking and verification for almost three to four hours at Khudengthabi and Tengnoupal.

AR troops also took photographs of Myanmar nationals.

Soon after, all Myanmar nationals were prohibited from entering Manipur without Army authority's permission thereby causing serious problems to citizens of the neighbouring country who need better medical facilities available in Manipur.

Compared to Manipur, Myanmar is quite backward in the field of medical science and doctors are not skilful enough.

For it takes just four hours to reach Imphal from Moreh, it is very convenient for Myanmarese patients to go medical diagnosis and treatment in Manipur.

Apart from the closer provinces, people from farther provinces/places like Rangoon, Mandalay, Kachin, Shan and Saigang too came to Imphal after travelling for more than three days for medical treatment.

Imphal has already earned a name of distinction for medical treatment in many places of Myanmar, said the patients.

"We went to Imphal for medical reasons, not for business".

"Rather than going to China or Thailand at a much higher expenditure, most of the Myanmarese people prefer Manipur for the medical cost is much cheaper and also for its closeness to many provinces of the country", they said.