Imphal:
An economic blockade on Manipur's main national highway over the last three months has left medical services in the state severely affected. At Imphal's largest critical care hospital, doctors are worried. Oxygen supplies are down to a bare minimum, and the emergency stock of anaesthesia is down to just one day. Says Dr Sorokhaibam Jugindra, the Medical Superintendent of Shija Hospitals, "Two times since the blockade started, we have had to announce publicly that we will not be able to take any more ICU patients as our oxygen and other gas stocks are not enough."
Hospitals across Imphal and the state face a similar situation, with stocks depleting fast and no end to the economic blockade in sight. At the other end of the spectrum, are these chemist shops, where medicines for even basic illnesses like diarrhoea and blood pressure have run out. Says Padam Singh Kangjam, a chemist, "We are facing a lot of trouble. Earlier our shop used to full of medicines but now you see, it's all empty...At this rate we will have to shut shop soon."
The government says it is doing all it can. N Biren Singh, Minister and spokesperson for the government of Manipur says: "We have to admit it that there is a scarcity. The government is trying to improve supplies to the state to at least twice a week then we should be okay.''
But despite the government's efforts, with agitating groups in Manipur unlikely to call off the economic blockade, it seems the medical situation in Manipur is set to go from bad to worse.