President sounded on health infrastructure
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, June 26 2025: In a letter to President Droupadi Murmu, a coalition of over 100 leading public health experts, legal luminaries, and social justice activists from across India have laid out 10 urgent demands to save Manipur's crumbling public health infrastructure.

Coordinated by National networks such as the National Health Rights Alliance, All India Feminist Alliance (ALIFA), and the National Alliance for Justice, Accountability and Rights (NAJAR), the letter was submitted under the aegis of the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) .

Stating that basic healthcare in Manipur across the hills, valley and relief camps have collapsed under the weight of two years of unrelenting violence and displacement, the letter demanded:

1) Formation of a high-powered Special Task Force with Cabinet Secretary-level authority and a 2-month mandate to assess and respond to the health crisis.
2) Recruitment of doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff, especially in underserved districts and relief zones.
3) Deployment of an expert public health committee to ensure region-sensitive, equitable planning.
4) Enhanced central funding, recognizing Manipur's vulnerability to conflict and crisis.
5) Cross-departmental coordination (health, disaster, food, social welfare, women and child development).
6) Monsoon-readiness and epidemic prevention in villages and camps.
7) Zero tolerance for discrimination in healthcare based on gender, ethnicity, or religion.
8) Creation of functional Community Health Centres in violence-hit zones.
9) End to privatization of district hospitals, regulation of private healthcare, and provision of free medicines and mental health services.
10) A State law for the Right to Health, establishing healthcare as a legal entitlement for all citizens.

The signatories have also called on the President to personally visit Manipur, meet affected communities from both hills and valley, and ensure the constitutional rights to health, safety, and dignity are upheld without bias, delay, or dilution.

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