Imphal, January 22: Atleast two infants have reportedly died while as many as 25 others have been hospitalised following the outbreak of a unknown disease characterised by vomiting and loose motion among the children in Challou village under Chingai Block of Ukhrul district.

According to information culled by this paper, one-year old S Aboinao, son of Sochipem and 9-year old S Chanyo, daughter of S Aphang died from the unknown disease characterised by vomiting and loose motion as they could not get medical assistance in time while around 25 other children suffering from the same symptoms have been admitted either to the District Hospital at Ukhrul headquarters or to the Leishiphung Hospital.

Disclosing this during a press conference at the office of the Information Centre for Hill Area, Manipur (ICHAM) located at Khuman Lampak here this afternoon, chairman of Chingai Village Development Authority Wilson Satsang informed that the two infants died as there was no doctor at Chingai Primary Health Centre who could provide them with medical treatment.

It may be recalled here that ICHAM had conducted an inspection tour of the Chingai sub-division on November 17, 2007 and found that there was no doctor and other necessary infrastructures at Chingai Primary Health Centre.

The report of the death of children from diarrhoea at Challou Village has come about even as ICHAM has been drawing the attention of the authority concerned to take care of the medical needs of the people living in the remote village.

ICHAM president N Rajendra who was also present during the press conference lamented over the death of the two children due to lack of adequate health care facilities inspite of having brought the matter to the notice of the Government.

So, for the death of the two children as well as for any untoward incident that may befall on the other children who are being hospitalised, the Health Minister should be held responsible, he stated categorically.

When The Sangai Express contacted him in this connection, Health Minister Ph Parijat informed that Government has discussed the matter with all seriousness and a medical team from Imphal would be despatched to Chingai village tomorrow.

The medical team will visit the Ukhrul District Hospital and assist the doctors there treating the children admitted there.

The team will also study how the disease spread.

Moreover, to prevent further outbreak of the disease at Challou village, the Government will take up necessary preventive measures, the Minister assured.

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