Myanmar nationals attend Manipur Health Mela

IMPHAL, April 8 – More than 700 Myanmar nationals were provided free treatment by Indian doctors at Behiang village in Manipur’s Churachandpur district on World Health Day which was observed across the State on Wednesday. Chief Medical Officer Dr Singkhojam Hauzel of Churachandpur district said, 10 civilian and 3 Assam Rifles doctors attended to around 1300 patients mostly from Myanmar during a district health society-sponsored two-day ‘Health Mela’ which concluded Wednesday.

“Most of them(Myanmar villagers) are happy as they are deprived of proper healthcare facilities in their country,” Dr Hauzel told The Assam Tribune over telephone from Churachandpur district headquarters, 65 km south of Imphal.

The Myanmar citizens from its border villages like Khenman, Chikha, Tonzang, etc., in Saigang division were allowed to cross the Indo-Myanmar international boundary after “relaxation on their movement along the border” to attend the free medical camp at a Primary Health Centre at Behiang, 125 km south of Imphal. “We examined them with necessary medical aid, besides giving free medicines,” Dr Hauzel said. Malnutrition and anaemia are the most common diseases among the patients in border areas as healthcare facilities are very poor.

The Indian Medical Association, State branch, Manipur Voluntary Health Association, Vision Foundation, Manipur and the Kangla Accupressure observed the day under the theme ‘Urban health matters’ with the campaign on ‘1000 Cities, 1000 Lives’ at their respective locations in Imphal while Democratic Students Alliance of Manipur volunteers organised a blood donation camp.

Manipur Health Minister Ph Parijat and president of IMA Dr Kh Palin were the chief guest and president of the function held at IMA hall in Imphal. Speaking at the function, Minister Parijat has expressed unhappiness over the lack of healthcare facilities due to lack of manpower in his department.

Vision Foundation, Manipur and the Kangla Accupressure observed World Health Day at Hotel Nirmala. GI surgeon Dr A Debdutta Sharma of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences called upon the concerned individuals to make comprehensive plans while taking any developmental projects in order to avoid health hazard in the State. He said media has an important role in spreading awareness of the health hazards due to the ongoing urbanization and development in the State.