Appeal made to Nagas in India to intervene with medical aid
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 5
Death toll from the outbreak of an undiagnosed disease reported from the far corner of the Naga Self Administered Zone (SAZ) in Sagaing region, Myanmar rose to 40 on Friday. It is feared that the figures could be more.
The illness, with measles like symptoms has already hit nine identified Naga villages under Lahe and Nanyun townships. It is highly suspected that more villages in the interiors may be affected.
Verification on the actual facts and figures has been rendered difficult due to poor accessibility and communication, which has been undermining healthcare assistance in this part of the region for decades. According to UNDP, Myanmar 2015, parts of the Naga SAZ are among the poorest, most isolated and least developed of Myanmar.
On Friday, the Assistant Director General of Union Public Health, Myanmar Government, Dr Than Tun Aung is learnt to have told the Council of Naga Affairs that the illness has been identified as a “type of measles.”
A team of six doctors, 3 from the Sagaing regional government and another 3 from the union government were dispatched along with the military to take stock of the situation, Dr Than Tun Aung reportedly informed the Council.
Athong Makury, Council of Naga Affairs speaking to The Morung Express, however, felt that six doctors won’t be enough. He was also skeptical on the diagnosis. “I asked what type of measles and the Assistant Director General could not give me a definite answer,” Makury said.
In a race against time, the Nagas from the Myanmar areas have reached out to its brethrens on the Indian side of the border in Nagaland.
The lack of trust against the Myanmar government and the military appears explicable. “Since July 9, 2016 we have been appealing for help from the Myanmar government. But they did not listen to our pleas seriously,” Makury maintained.
In a fervent appeal, Makury said, “We trust that our own people will be earnestly concerned on the fate that has befallen one of its own. Therefore, on behalf of the Nagas in Myanmar, we appeal to the “Nagaland State Government and the Medical Council to come to our rescue.”
The Council suggested that the current situation required specialized doctors who can treat such kind of an epidemic. Makury further said he had requested permission from the Assistant Director General for the medical team to cross border on humanitarian grounds. The latter is learnt to have responded that he would be happy to coordinate.
Besides, reaching these affected villages is closer and better accessible from the Indian side of the border, Makury informed. The World Health Organization (WHO) is also learnt to have committed to help.
Naga civil societies rally for a medical team to Myanmar
Meanwhile, heeding to the call of the Nagas in Myanmar, the Naga civil societies led by Naga Mothers Association (NMA), Naga Hoho and Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) are rallying for a medical team to dispatch to the affected Naga villages in Myanmar.
“They are so far away from us. However, we also feel the pain and agony our brethren are going through. We are trying to find ways and means to help them,” NMA president said.
The civil societies are already on the lookout for volunteers to form a team of doctors along with medicines and necessary equipments to undertake the journey, she said.
Naga Hoho president Chuba Ozukum said they would approach the Red Cross Society, Rotary and Lions clubs for assistance. “We are also making an appeal to our people, organizations to come forward to help in this hour of crisis,” Ozukum appealed.
The International Border Area People’s Welfare Organisation (IBAPWO) has also appealed the Nagaland Government and Naga civil societies to set up a medical team in emergency mode to pitch in to help control the outbreak of the undiagnosed disease in Naga areas of Myanmar on humanitarian grounds. It apprehended that the disease might spread over the seven border blocks if the outbreak is not controlled on time.
Health dept sounds alert to district health units
Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland has sounded alert that there is high chance of the outbreak of the disease with measles like symptoms in the villages surrounding Naga areas in Myanmar getting imported into Nagaland state through the border.
In this connection, Principal Director, H &FW, in a notification, has directed the Chief Medical Officer/Medical Superintendent of Kiphire, Mon, Phek and Tuensang districts to put its health units on vigil and health care providers on alert. It also directed that the IDSP reporting system should capture any unusual cases with fever and rashes.
