Many internally displaced persons (IDP) living with chronic illness are forced to stop the treatment of their ailment due to poverty.
The ongoing crisis of Manipur, affecting thousands of people is about to complete two years. Yet lasting peace and solution is still not at sight. However, people who are displaced by conflict are persistently yearning for resettlement in their respective hometown as there is no place like home.
Almost all the IDPs are struggling for their survival due to absence of stable income. As such IDPs who are suffering from chronic diseases are compelled to undergo unbearable challenges despite the fact they are beneficiaries of health scheme. This condition has made them to threatens the longevity of their life.
In an interaction with coordinator of Mandop Yumfam Relief Camp Khurkhul, RK Sanahal said that as many as 1082 inmates are languishing in their pre-fabricated house. Out of this 544 are male and 533 are female. The number of children below 12 are 188 and total number of students is 302.
He further said that large chunk of the families is relying on odd jobs living in a condition of hand to mouth. The ration and financial assistance of Rs 80 per head provided by government help to ease their burden. Yet it is a herculean task to run a family and afford children for school with that limited income and support from government.
“In our relief camp most of displaced people are from Leimakhong area and other parts of Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Bishnupur district. Our inmates are very hard-working. They are ready to work any kind of available petty job without any complain. However, our living condition couldn’t improve as this conflict drag has drag our living standard on the breadline,” he stated.
Sanahal also highlighted the sufferings of IDP living with chronic diseases, suggesting the need of extra effort from the government for those people.
“Many inmates staying in our relief camp are suffering from chronic diseases. When even a normal person is struggling for their daily living, it is beyond imagination that how an ailing person would be suffering. Maximum IDPs are beneficiaries of health scheme. However, sometime the card is meaningless as many diseases are not cover under this health scheme. IDPs who couldn’t afford for their treatment are forced to stop taking care of their health. It would be a grateful if state government has taken up any extra measures for healthcare treatment of IDPs,” he urged.
One of the inmates, Jamuna Takhellambam who is in 50s said that her husband has been suffering from paralysis after BP stroke. Earlier, her husband can move and walk but the health condition has been worsened each day and now completely bed-ridden. The doctor has advised for surgery which they couldn’t afford the cost of treatment.
“I have five children. All of them are married and to run their family, they are engaging in petty jobs. As they literally want to improve the health condition of their father, they are putting their effort at best for the treatment. However the treatment charge goes beyond their capability, my husband has to remain confined inside this tiny pre-fabricated home throughout the day,” she lamented.
She also expressed that government health card is useless as the kind of surgery which doctor recommended is not enlisted under the health card.
Another inmate, Lourembam Memcha, 70 years, said that sometimes health camp are conducted in the relief camp which they feel very fortunate. But for IDPs surviving with prolonged illness, government should provide some additional support.
“I am a diabetic patient. To take care of my health, I have to spend extra money. The ration and financial assistance of Rs 80 per head of a family is not sufficient. Therefore, most of the time I have to compromise for my health to make our ends meet. As human doesn’t want to shorten their living, we would be very thankful to government if they draw some attention for IDPs living with prolonged illness,” she urged.
Similar problems are also face by IDPs taking shelter in various relief camps. Their living condition has been degrading each year. Yet they are living with lot of positive aspect that their life can be better if government provide some extra support.
The writer is an award winning reporter
