Critical patients in Manipur's Churachandpur lack transport and medicines amid crisis

Churachandpur: In Manipur's Churachandpur district, critical patients are facing a healthcare crisis due to the absence of proper transport, essential supplies, facilities, and medical professionals, according to a senior doctor overseeing health emergencies in the district.

Patients with severe cardiac issues and conditions like brain haemorrhages require immediate intervention, which is currently unavailable due to the lack of suitable transport options.

Although a helicopter service from Churachandpur was announced by Home Minister Amit Shah in early June, it operated briefly and has not resumed services.

The doctor emphasised the urgent need to reinstate the helicopter service, stating that it could save numerous lives, especially for patients from the Kuki-Zo tribes who have succumbed to critical illnesses while unable to reach hospitals in Guwahati (Assam) or Aizawl (Mizoram), reported NDTV.

While Manipur's capital, Imphal, houses well-equipped hospitals, road blockades and the risk of violence make it too hazardous for patients to travel there. An ambulance was set on fire in Imphal West's Iroisemba area in early May, resulting in the tragic deaths of an 8-year-old child, his mother, and a relative.

The challenging hilly terrain and road conditions in the region further complicate efforts to transport critically ill patients by road.

Given the shortage of specialist medical professionals in Churachandpur, including cardiologists and neurologists, the doctor proposed a temporary solution of rotating such doctors in the district for one to two weeks. Diagnostic centres are also under strain due to equipment maintenance and shortages of essential materials.

Road blockades in valley areas hinder the delivery of essential medical supplies to Churachandpur and other hill districts, exacerbating the healthcare crisis.

The doctor emphasised the need for immediate transport options for critical patients and called for a long-term focus on establishing high-quality healthcare institutions in Churachandpur, suggesting that private entities should consider investing in such infrastructure.

Manipur recently restored mobile internet services after more than four months of disruption.

Ethnic clashes between the Kuki tribes and the valley-majority Meiteis, sparked by protests over the Meiteis' demand for inclusion under the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, have resulted in over 180 fatalities.