Rising cancer, kidney cases worries CM
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, April 15 2022: Chief Minister N Biren inaugurated Block Health Mela & Telemedicine at Ayushman Bharat - HWC as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav under his government's 100 days action plan at N Tomchou Public Ground, Mayang Imphal on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, Biren congratulated health department officials, doctors, nurses, ASHA workers among others for their tireless and fearless dedication to their service during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We have lost countless lives during the pandemic, and we still have to be careful against COVID," he said and appealed to all eligible individuals to take the COVID vaccine.

Highlighting low vaccination percentage in some districts, especially in the hills, the CM said that tribal officers of the state should come forward and convince the public to take the vaccine to increase vaccination rate and immunity against the dreadful disease.

Stressing on the task lying ahead of the new government, Biren said that it is only the beginning and his government is in the initial stage of shaping the state.

There was no proper operational system of the government when he took charge as the chief minister in the last term.

He spent his previous term in ensuring a peaceful environment and hill-valley unity with some public oriented works.

Once the government completes the task under the 100 days Action Plan, it will declare the works to be takeh up on a yearly basis, he said.

The CM also expressed happiness that dialysis facilities are now available in almost all district hospitals, apart from RIMS and JNIMS.

He, however, expressed concern over increasing kidney ailment and cancer patients in the state, and stressed on the need for a proper study to find out whether our food habits is the main cause.

He also expressed concern over tobacco consumption among the people of the state.

Biren also spoke on the Chief Minister's Health for All Scheme and explained that under the scheme, door-to-door screening is conducted for 10 non communicable diseases, and free medicine provided across the state.

He also spoke on how his government has recently increased the benefits under CMHT from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per annum.

Highlighting that health is wealth and that the government is working towards upliftment of the poor and to provide health benefits to them, the CM pointed out to the officials concerned the need to re-verify the beneficiaries lists of the CMHT and cancel names of beneficiaries who are found to be government employees during the re-verification process at the earliest.

Biren expressed unhappiness over illegal poppy farming in hill areas and said that during a recent meeting with chiefs and leaders of some villages, mass use of chemical fertiliser (urea) to ensure good poppy harvest was highlighted.

This is an alarming situation since these chemical fertilisers are drained or washed into the rivers and lakes and eventually consumed by the people.

Continuing such activities has made the river water hazardous for human consumption as rivers are the main sources of water for many.

Stating that there are so many alternatives and that the government will provide any alternative livelihoods to poppy planters, the CM urged all not to give the excuse of poppy plantation as the only source of livelihood.

Biren also appealed to all illegal encroachers on Loktak Lake to vacate before the government takes up actions, and save the lake because without Loktak Lake it will be hard for people to reside in the state.

He gave the encroachers a deadline of 10 weeks to vacate after which the government will be forced to use its machineries for forceful eviction.

The government will take up various development works for the people, he assured and sought support from all without creating disturbances to any kind of developmental works.

Meanwhile, as part of the inauguration function, Chief Minister's Health for All Award was conferred to Iramsiphai HWC, Imphal West KAYAKALP Award to Wangoi CHC & Sekmai CHC.

Best Primary Health Centre Awards and Best Health & Wellness Centre Awards were also distributed on the occasion.

The inaugural function was also attended by Mayang Imphal MLA K Robindro as president while Konthoujam MLA Dr Sapam Ranjan, Khurai MLA L Susindro, chief secretary Dr Rajesh Kumar and additional chief secretary (Health) Vumlunmang Vualnam were present as guests of honour among others.

The chief minister along with other dignitaries also visited the stalls opened as part of the Mela and interacted with the officials.

The function was organised by the district administration of Imphal West along with CMO, Imphal West.

Different department opened stalls for CMHA and NCD, CMHT & PMJAY, food safety, maternal health & family planning, dermatology, general medicine, paediatric, dental, gynaecology, AYUSH, Yoga, ENT, RBSK, TB, Leprosy, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra, ICDS, KRY-NA LAB, social welfare, youth affairs and sports, education, BDO, COVID vaccination, blindness control, tobacco control programme, Iodine Deficiency, child health, ultrasonography, telemedicine, palliative care, dialysis, immunisation, viral hepatitis among others.

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