Address the epidemic-like situation at Tipaimukh and Thanlon - SIPHRO
- SIPHRO (Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation) -

May 05, 2009

SINLUNG INDIGENOUS PEOPLES HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATION
Truth, Justice and Peace
Website: www.siphro.org
Email: [email protected]

Tipaimukh and Thanlon sub-divisions in Manipur's Churachandpur district is, once again, threatened by the outbreak of a disease that has tolled the lives of more than thirty five (35) children, mostly infants. The strange disease, called by the villagers as "Tulai natna" (Today's disease) or "strange disease" has severely made the villagers helpless as there are no doctors to identify the deadly disease that is still multiplying its victims. Sinlung Indigenous Peoples Human Rights Organisation (SIPHRO) is concern over the unabated plights of the ravaged villagers who are left to fend for themselves as the strange disease continue to strike them. The feared disease pose a serious threat to susceptible populations as it place severe burden on the public health system and socio-economic development of the marginalized constituencies that are also undergoing food-crisis caused by the gregarious bamboo flowering. The same disease, which was called "Mautam Hri" (Bamboo flower disease), took more than fifty (50) lives in the year 2008.

The disease causes inflammation on the head. Other symptoms include high fever, headaches, vomiting, loose motion, and sometimes seizures. Some of the victims suffer irreversible neurological consequences.

A diseased kid being attended to

Despite the severity of the "strange disease", no scientific research was conducted by the responsible authorities to establish the cause and nature of the disease. The TB Officer of Churachandpur district visited two villages and made a report, which only undermine the reality faced by the people. The TB Officer merely posed questions and he did not even get to see the sick children. SIPHRO condemns such callous attitude shown by authorities who otherwise should be responsible for the ongoing outbreak.

The ongoing outbreak continues to put the villagers of the vulnerable constituencies at immense risk. In the face of that, SIPHRO strongly condemns the insensitive and irresponsible attitude of the medical authorities of Churachandpur district as well as the Government of Manipur. The sub-human lives of the distressed people has been further deteriorated by the absence of response from the concerned authorities who, otherwise, ought to intervene to address the already blown-out situation. Non -stationing of doctors and nurses has worsened the situation as the villagers were left with nothing to resort to. The State authorities are no longer offering basic health services and have been failing its people. The preventable disease has spreaded because of the collapse of health services.

SIPHRO calls upon the Government of Manipur to immediately intervene to address and redress the epidemic-like situation that is sweeping human lives in the forgotten constituencies. SIPHRO also demands that:

1. The Government should immediately activate intervention strategies to deal with the "strange disease" that has tolled the lives of more than 35 infants.
2. Doctors and nurses should be permanently stationed in the two vulnerable constituencies.
3. The Primary Health Centre in Parbung should be made functional.
4. The Government should permanently run a pharmacy that would cater to the medical need of the villagers.
5. All necessary vaccines should be administered to children and infants of all age group.
6. The Government should also administer active surveillance and case management and support to community awareness programmes.

(LALCHUNGHNUNG HMAR)
Chairman, Hmarram Cell, SIPHRO

(LALREMRUOT PULAMTE)
Secretary, Hmarram Cell, SIPHRO

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This information is sent to e-pao.net by SIPHRO at siphro(at)gmail(dot)com
This PR was webcasted on May 05th 2009 .

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