Imphal: For the past 11 months, Manipur has been reeling under tensions and conflicts, resulting in significant challenges such as displacements, mobility restrictions, and limited access to essential commodities, healthcare facilities, and medicines. In response, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has ramped up its medical-humanitarian aid work in the region since January 15, 2024. The primary focus has been on improving healthcare access for those affected in the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Kakching, Churachandpur, and Tengnoupal.
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Since 2005, MSF has been present in Manipur, addressing HIV and TB health challenges in collaboration with the Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MSACS).
Key highlights of MSF’s recent intervention include the launch of mobile clinics, which have delivered over 2900 outpatient consultations within relief camps. In collaboration with local health authorities, MSF has administered 2,473 doses of essential vaccines in both relief centres and the host community. The organization has also implemented Water and Sanitation (WatSan) interventions, establishing clean water facilities, hygiene infrastructure, and effective waste management systems across 31 camps. MSF has addressed the psycho-social impact on the affected population by conducting stress management, psychoeducation, and individual counselling sessions. Additionally, MSF has provided essential non-food items such as blankets, sleeping mats, and hygiene kits.
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In a recent meeting, Dr Swapan Kachop, Chief of Operations at MSF India, along with two esteemed colleagues, engaged with Anusuiya Uikey, Governor of Manipur. The team underscored the critical ongoing humanitarian and medical services in Manipur. Governor Uikey expressed her appreciation for MSF’s contribution and assured continued support from her office to aid these efforts, reinforcing a collaborative approach to healthcare and humanitarian aid in the region.
“MSF remains dedicated to enhancing our support to meet the health challenges of the populations in need in Manipur. We appeal to all groups and the community at large to kindly prioritize the healthcare needs of the populations and allow access to medical and humanitarian aid across the state,” stated Dr Kachop.
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In addition to emergency response, MSF continues to deliver long-term medical care in Manipur. MSF clinics offer free, high-quality screening, diagnosis, and treatment for HIV, TB, hepatitis C, and co-infections. They also work towards increasing awareness around morbidities through health promotion activities. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, MSF set up a 42-bed High Dependency Unit (HDU) for severe COVID-19 patients in Imphal and supported the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) COVID-19 response initiatives in the state.
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