'Doctors Without Borders' tackles Manipur health crisis
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, May 21 2024: At a time when tne state has landed itself in the thick of varied challenges marked by conflict and health crises, it has found a lifeline in the unwavering commitment of Medecins sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) which continues to provide vital medical and humanitarian support, offering a beacon of hope to those in dire need.

For the past one year, Manipur has been reeling under tensions and conflicts, which have resulted in challenges, such as, displacements, mobility restrictions, low access to essential commodities, healthcare facilities and medicines.

In light of this, MSF has augmented its medical-humanitarian aid work in the region since January 15; with primary focus on improving healthcare access for those affected in the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Kakching, Churachandpur and Tengnoupal, MSF stated in a press statement on Tuesday.

The organisation mentioned that it has initiated a series of medical and support services to alleviate the suffering and improve living conditions for thousands displaced by the ongoing conflict.

MSF is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation.

In more than 70 countries, it provides medical humanitarian assistance to save lives and ease the suffering of people in crisis situations.

"We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare.

Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff - most of them hired locally.

Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, neutrality and humanity," it said.

Since 2005, MSF has been present in Manipur, addressing HIV and TB health challenges in collaboration with Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS).

Key highlights of MSF's intervention include launching mobile clinics that have delivered over 2900 outpatient consultations within relief camps.

Additionally, in collaboration with local health authorities, MSF has administered 2,473 doses of essential vaccines in both relief centres and host community.

According to MSF, it has also implemented water and sanitation (WatSan) interventions, establishing clean water facilities, hygiene infrastructure and effective waste management systems across 31 camps.

Additionally, MSF also addressed psycho-social impact on the affected population and conducted stress management, psychoeducation and individual counselling sessions.

Furthermore, MSF provided essential items such as blankets, sleeping mats and hygiene kits.

In a recent meeting, MSF India chief of operations Dr Swapan Kachop along with two colleagues, engaged with Governor Anusuiya Uikey.

The team underscored the critical ongoing humanitarian medical services in Manipur.

Governor Uikey expressed her appreciation for MSF's contribution and assured continued support from her office to aid these efforts, reinforcing a collaborative approach to healthcare and humanitarian aid in the region.

"MSF remains dedicated to enhancing our support to meet the health challenges of the populations in need in Manipur.

We appeal to all groups and the community at large to kindly prioritise the healthcare needs of the populations and allow access to medical and humanitarian aid across the state," Dr Kachop said.

In addition to the emergency response, MSF continues to deliver long-term medical care in Manipur.

MSF clinics offer free, high-quality screening, diagnosis and treatment for HIV, TB, hepatitis C, and co-infections.

In addition, it works towards increasing awareness around morbidities through health promotion activities.

During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, MSF also set up a 42-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU) for severe Covid-19 patients in Imphal and supported Union Ministry of Health's (MoH) Covid response initiatives in the state, the statement added.

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