Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 7
The Council of Naga Affairs, the apex body of the Naga people in Myanmar, informed today that the Government of Myanmar has begun to take action on the spread of a measles-like illness in the country’s northern Sagaing region. A large number of people continue to remain affected in the remote Naga areas of Myanmar where the disease has struck and led to the death of as many as 40 children.
The illness, with measles-like symptoms, has hit a corner of Myanmar that is a remote and mountainous area which borders the Naga areas in India and is populated by the Naga people.
A meeting was convened to take stock of the illness this morning at the office of the Naga Self Administered Zone’s Government in Lahe, informed the Council of Naga Affairs through social media. The Naga civil society leaders in Myanmar have been active in keeping people updated about the emerging situation.
The CNA also informed that the meeting was attended by the NSAZ Chairman, Principal Secretary, Dr. Aung Kyaw Moe of Prevention Department of Curable Disease, Government of Myanmar, whose team consists of military medical staff, the respective commanding officers of 229 and 272 Battalions, and a trip plan was briefed.
It may be reminded that the CNA had stated earlier that the Myanmar Government would dispatch two troops of Myanmar Army to provide security, also for the medical teams expected to arrive from Nagaland.
Now, the Government is also sending its own medical team consisting of Dr. Aung Kyaw Moe, Dr. San Phue Aung, (Major Nwe Oo Latt and Capt. Wan Yan Tun who are believed to be military doctors). Some State officials have already left in the morning for the affected areas of Namyun Township on motorbikes, the CNA informed.
Some initial medical findings have also been carried out by doctors who have reached Namyun Township. These findings from the total number of people tested suggest that 40 percent of the patients have flu, 30 percent have worms, 15 percent are suffering from gastritis while 15 percent have been classified as “others.” 38 men and 32 women have tested positive for flu. Blood samples of 183 patients were collected and sent to a lab whose reports are awaited.
This initial medical inspection has been facilitated by the MP of the Sagaing Regional Parliament from Namyun Constituency.
A medical team led by Dr. Htoo Myint Swe, Dr. Than Naing Soe, Capt. Hein Ko Ko Oo and Nurse Janaung have also left this morning for the affected areas under Lahe Township.
Naga civil society
in India appeal
The Naga civil society in India has appealed for help from the Naga brethren to reach out to those affected by the illness in Myanmar.
The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) had an emergency meeting with its frontal organizations (ENWO, ENSF, ENGOA) today in this regard.
A press release from ENPO President Khoiwang Konyak and Secretary Amai Chingkhu reminded that these Naga areas in Myanmar are “extremely remote and inaccessible from both sides.”
This makes the “need for immediate medical intervention” all the more important, the ENPO noted.
The meeting resolved to appeal to the Nagaland State Government to initially send a team of Medical experts along with “all probable” medical care and assistance to the affected, and also to “equally address the unaffected population as a preventive measure.”
It further appealed to the State Government to direct the District administrations of the bordering areas to “restrict movement from both sides of the border as a precautionary and preventive measure” to prevent the spreading of any “probable communicable/contagious disease.”
“In case of detection of any patients of similar symptoms, the person should be immediately isolated and quarantined for treatment,” the ENPO advised.
For now, the ENPO and its frontal organizations have resolved to “await the assessment report of the medical team that is to be sent before venturing into the affected areas for providing help and assistance to the public of the affected areas in Myanmar.”
Meanwhile, the Naga Students’ Federation, the Naga Mother’s Association, the Naga Hoho and the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights had earlier committed to volunteer aid. The civil bodies have now sent out an appeal for doctors to come forward as volunteers to assist in the treatment of patients affected in the Naga areas in Myanmar.
Further, NSF General Secretary Boveio Poukai has informed that any aid in terms of cash or kind can be deposited at the NSF head office in Kohima. People from any other places can make a direct cash transfer to the following account:
Name: Boveio Poukai
A/C no.: 1147104000055833
IFSC: IBKL0001147
Branch: IDBI, Kohima
Phone no.: +91 9089500990
