Manipur Cries For Medicines, Doctors Helpless

Imphal, Oct 15 : As the economic blockade in Manipur continues for over 70 days now, the state is raising a helpless wail.

Seriously ill patients are being turned away from hospitals, which are battling a shortage of life-saving drugs, and many are losing their lives.

“It’s a pitiable situation. As a doctor I feel helpless that I can’t help...and have had to turn away many critically ill patients from my hospital just because there is a scarcity of life-saving drugs and oxygen because of the blockade,”

KH Phalin, managing director of Shija hospital in Manipur said.

According to Phalin, ever since the blockade began on Aug. 1, the price of an oxygen cylinder has gone up by four-five times.

“Manipur does not have a medical gas plant of its own and is dependent on Assam. Therefore, because of the blockade, the supply of oxygen is affected. A cylinder that normally costs Rs320 in Assam, costs Rs1,100 here (from local suppliers) and at one time, went up to Rs2,400,” said Phalin, who is a surgeon and runs the state’s biggest private hospital.

The hospital, like many others, also sends its own vehicle to get oxygen cylinders and other supplies from Guwahati in Assam, but has to “pay up to some local groups,” who, according to him, charge up to Rs5,000 to let their vehicle go.

“In two weeks, we have had to reject at least 10 critically ill patients because we are running low on life-saving drugs and are in no position to take their responsibility.

Moreover, we cannot take a risk with our own patients in the ICU and those on ventilator who require 15 cylinders every day,” he added.

“There are cases of people losing their lives for lack of timely treatment and life-saving drugs,” Phalin said.

According to doctors, besides medicines and oxygen, there has been a shortage of medical equipment as well.

Whatever can be brought from nearby states, like Nagaland or Assam, are being arranged by the hospitals at their own cost.

But the impact has been on the medical bills of the patients, which has shot up.

“I hope the centre does something concrete, and urgently, to get us out of this situation. Otherwise Manipur will continue to bleed silently,” Phalin said.