Senapati: Due to the lack of basic developmental facilities in Nallong village under Tamei Sub-division in Tamenglong district, a sick individual was transported from his village to Peren District Hospital in Nagaland, covering a distance of approximately 50 km on Friday.
The individual, identified as 33-year-old Wangtangkhaibou Pamai, a resident of Nallong in the Kuilong area of Tamei Sub-division, Manipur, was forced to be carried on a makeshift bamboo stretcher by local villagers due to health issues. This is not an isolated incident, as sources report that such occurrences are common in Nallong and surrounding areas, where many untold tragedies have taken place in recent years. On August 15, 2023, while the nation celebrated Independence Day, six critically ill patients were similarly transported on bamboo stretchers over long distances to access medical care.
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The region is severely deprived of essential medical services, motorable roads, electricity, and mobile or internet connectivity. The nearest healthcare facilities are located in Tamei, about 70 km away, and in Peren, Nagaland, roughly 50 km from Nallong. The lack of proper healthcare infrastructure has led to the loss of many lives and continues to threaten the well-being of villagers, who attribute the situation to negligence by the leaders and government of Manipur.
Basic rights, such as the right to life and healthcare, are consistently denied to the residents. The situation is worsened by the fact that there has been no vehicular movement in the area since May due to the poor condition of the roads, which remain unpaved. Despite repeated appeals to the relevant authorities and the government of Manipur, the villagers’ pleas have been ignored. Local leaders, MLAs, and even the state’s Health Minister have not shown any support or solidarity with the affected villagers.
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The residents of Nallong and the Kuilong area have been systematically deprived of essential services, enduring significant hardship for decades. The villagers urgently call for the intervention of the Directorate of Health Services, local MLAs, and the Health Minister of Manipur to address the dire conditions of the community. They assert that any health crises or fatalities resulting from this negligence will hold the authorities accountable.
The patient has reportedly been treated at Peren District Hospital, Nagaland.
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