Suspected malaria outbreak claims 16
Tamei suffers, Govt looks on
Source: The Sangai Express / Soubam Bokuljaoba

Makuinong (Tml), September 21: At least 16 persons including children have reportedly died from suspected cases of malaria since June this year in Makuilong, Kuilong Part I, II and III villages under Tamei sub-division of Tamenglong district while many other are still suffering from the scourge.

In the absence of any medical facilities, the villagers of these remote area are depending on herbal plants growing in the villages for treatment.

Loss of 16 lives from suspected cases of malaria and the condition in which the people of the area have been reeling under the onslaught of such seasonal epidemics came to light during a joint inspection survey conducted in these four remote villages by mediapersons and Zeliangrong Students' Union, Tamei Area.

Tamei AC with the red marks indicating the affected villages

The team was informed that in Makuinong village, located after walking around 3 hours from Kuilong which share a border with Peren district of Nagaland, in all 6 persons have died from suspected malaria cases in between June last and the current month while around 15 villagers including children are suffering from it.

Apart dying from suspected malaria cases, three persons of the village located along Barak river have also died from an unknown disease showing symptoms of vomiting, fever, stomach ache and excretion of blood, the villagers said.

As there is no facility for medical treatment, the villagers have no access to medicine, whether it is for treatment of malaria or any other diseases.

In case of emergency, the villagers have to cross over the border to get medicine from Peren of Nagaland or carry the patients on stretchers made of bamboo and sticks.

The villagers informed that following the report of villagers dying from an known disease, one Medical Officer from Tamei PHC had come down to the village just once and not any more after that.

There is also no sign of implementing the National Rural Health Mission in this remote region, where the condition of the road is pathetic and there is no bus service.

The villagers do not even have any idea about the welfare programme being taken up by the Centre.

Chairman of the village Khangwipou informed that as there is no medicine, the villagers suffering from suspected malaria cases are being treated with medicinal plants found in the village.

Survey of the team at Kuilong Part-I, II and III also led to the discovery that 5 persons including four women and one man at Kukilong Part-I, 3 persons including two women and one man in Kukilong Part-II and two persons including one woman and man have also died from suspected cases of malaria while many other have fallen ill.

Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by Chairman of Lenglong Village Authority K Ranglungbou, an unknown epidemic has broken out at Lenglong village which falls under Tamei Sub-Division of Tamenglong district and located along Barak river bordering Nagaland.

High temperature, sudden sensation of chills, lost of consciousness, vomitting and loss of appetite, etc.

are some of the symptoms of the disease which has affected many villagers including women and children, the chairman said, while calling upon the Government and NGOs concerned to take up immediate necessary steps to control the epidemic.

While informing that Royal Riders of Manipur would be organising a free medical camp at the village from September 26 to 28, the chairman has also asked the people of the area to come and participate in the camp.

The Village Authority has also urged all concerned not to impose any bandh and general strike and help the people to avail medical treatment during the proposed medical camp.