75 babies delivered at Youth Hostel relief camp till date
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 20 2023: So far, around 75 babies including three twins have been delivered at the relief camp set up at Khuman Lampak Youth Hostel especially for pregnant women and lactating mothers displaced by the on-going ethnic conflict which broke out on May 3 .

The relief camp had been set up since May 21 under the supervision of BJP Manipur Pradesh president A Sarda and is being looked after by members of BJP OBC Morcha.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle in this regard, BJP Imphal Central District, OBC Morcha president Oinam Lemba Khuman informed that presently, there are 31 pregnant women, 13 lactating mothers, 92 caretakers (all female) and babies too young to be separated from mothers.

So far, a total of 116 pregnant women stayed in the camp of which 39 are from Imphal East, 28 from Bishnupur, 14 from Churachandpur district, 17 from Kakching district, 2 from Kangpokpi, 7 from Tengnoupal and 9 from Imphal West districts.

While some have been shifted to other relief camps after delivery, other have gone to their relatives' places.

As of now, 75 babies including three twins have been delivered, of which 36 are girls and 39 boys.

The swasti puja (wellbeing ritual) of all babies have been organised by BJP Manipur Pradesh at the camp itself.

He further informed that most of the deliveries were at JNIMS, while some at RIMS and others at Little Clinic.

The displaced babies born at Little Clinic were given Rs 1000 upon discharge.

All related materials required during childbirth including transport is provided by the relief committee.

Additionally, the pregnant women and lactating mothers in the camp are given choice of food apart from medicines.

A month after childbirth, the new mothers undergo' a medical check-up before they were allowed to leave the camp.

Previously, women who were in 4-5 months of pregnancy used to stay in the camp.

However, as the camp only had 55 beds, only those in their 8-9 months of pregnancy are now allowed to stay in the camp.

At present, there are 31 pregnant women and 13 lactating mothers staying in the camp.

Lemba continued that apart from the government, many generous individuals have extended help to the relied camp.

Both the Imphal East and Imphal West DCs have extended support, while the CMOs of both the districts have been sending doctors, particularly gynaecologists to the camp routinely.

RIMS and JNIMS hospitals have also provided necessary medications to the women in the camp free of cost, while Babina Diagnostics has waived all charges on tests required by women.

The Social Welfare Department has dispatched Anganwadi workers to enable the lactating mothers to avail the benefits of Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PM-MVY), he added, while conveying sincere gratitude to all those who have extended support to the camp.

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