IMPHAL, June 7: State Health Minister Phungza-thang Tonsing to day rushed to Jiribam as the outbreak of an undiagnosed disease has left one dead and many at the hospital in the sub division.
According to our Jiribam correspondent, the symptoms of the still to be diagnosed disease are excessive vomiting and bouts of loose motion.
The first such case was reported to be one Thangkhahum, 50, son of (L) Phairenthang Khum of Borobekra gram panchayat. The person was rushed to Jiribam community health centre with the said symptoms. Even after meagre treatment available at the CHC, the doctors pronounced him dead on June 4.
Our correspondent added, “ I questioned the doctors on the cause of death and the nature of the disease, whereas reply came from the doctors and the lab assistants that the diagnosis is yet to be confirmed”, it was added that the medical samples taken were to be sent to Imphal for clinical analysis.
Sources have also said that along with the deceased, another three persons were admitted to the community health centre for treatment and further diagnosis with the same symptoms.
Reports mentioned that the source of the outbreak was suspected to be from Shottobegra, from Phailenthang, a village bordering Jiribam and Churachandpur.
Suspecting the nature of the disease, it was learnt that the pradhan of Borobekra, identified as Neithang Rangpal, intimated the concerned medical officers of the sub division to investigate the issue on June 4.
Later, a team of seven medical staffs including a local pastor, laboratory technician and a doctor went to the said place at Sottobekra and further threated 43 patients having the same symptoms.
Meanwhile, health minister Phungzathang Tonsing has rushed to Jiribam to take stock of the situation. According to reports, the minister has visited the community health centre located at Babupara, Jiribam.
The minister after deliberating in the matter has met patients admitted at the centre and provided monitory relief of Rs 500 each to the patients suffering from such symptoms.
Later, he also left the centre for Barak circle which is located about thirty km from proper Jiribam town towards Borobekra, which is suspected to be the epicenter of the epidemic.
The minister also met officials of a private run hospital and appealed to provide necessary medical attention to patients with symptoms of the disease.
He further inspected a 50 bedded hospital presently under construction at Jiribam headquarters.
It was mentioned that the minister voiced disapproval of the current pace of construction work, whereas the contractor apparently promised to complete the project within December 2012.
According to sources from the medical department, the source of the epidemic is currently under the microscope and necessary treatment is provided to the ailing patients.
It may be mentioned that due to lack of proper medical facilities in Jiribam, majority of the patients are presently referred to private run clinics of Assam.
Our correspondent adds, “this is the first time that we have seen nurses in uniform and clean bedsheets in the CHC”, family members and sections of the public also voice that the visit of the minister should have the desired effects to prevent such outbreaks in future and not at par with the former minister Ph Parijat, who visited Jiribam for assuring proper medical facilities but hence left unaddressed.
