The situation in Manipur turned violent on May 3, 2023, when the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) called for protests against the inclusion of the Meitei community in the ST category. Clashes between these communities erupted during the protest in Churachandpur and escalated into violent clashes in the following days. As law and order collapsed in the state, the Centre invoked Article 355 to safeguard the state against internal disturbances and external aggression.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis for the past nearly 3 months in Manipur is posing a critical challenge for relief agencies due to the scale of the problem. More than 150 people have died and thousands has been subjected to violence. A total 52,599 internally displaced persons are taking shelter in relief camps in Manipur. Relief camps are scattered in various districts - 31 in Imphal West, 35 in Imphal East, 10 in Thoubal, 35 in Kakching, 53 in Bishnupur, 50 in Kangpokpi, 1 in Senapati, 4 in Jiribam, 15 in Ukhrul, 6 in Kamjong, 7 in Tengnoupal, and 107 in Churachandpur. In addition, 12600 people have fled to Mizoram and are in camps, while about 6000 people are seeking refuge in Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya. As most highways are blocked due to community led blockades, transportation of relief materials by air has become critical.
DFY team reached Manipur by the first week of May 2023 and conducted rapid needs assessment and engaged in discussions with the State Government's Health department. DFY has been operating in Manipur since 2021 and had managed a COVID Care Centre at NIT Imphal, and also successfully administered over 3,45,000 COVID vaccination which also included some of the current conflict-affected districts of Manipur. As a result, DFY has established a strong presence in Manipur and maintains a positive relationship with the health department. Based on the Rapid assessment
Doctors For You have started our mobile medical health camps from 19th of May 2023.
- 1. Deployment of 4 Rapid Response/Quick Reaction Medical Team
- 2. Conducting Medical Health Camps in selected districts
- 3. Free medicines and consultations
- 4. Providing care to Anti Hypertensive and Diabetic patients
- 5. Awareness and mobilization on health, hygiene, WASH provison and adopting appropriate health & hygiene measures, etc
As of now, we have successfully conducted 95 camps, benefiting a total of 3890 individuals including 510 children below 5 years of age in the following districts: Imphal East and West, Kangpokpi, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Churachanpur. In health camps,
- ● Inclusion of 60.4 % females and 39.6% males, 34% children below 5 years of age & adolescents, 55.3% adults and 10.70% older adults in health camps
- ● In NCD screening, approx. 3.54% screened for Diabetes and 47.78% for hypertension
- ● Participated in 6 Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Day (VHND) to attend to maternal and child health care needs and provide service
A significant focus of our intervention is on women and children to ensure that they receive essential healthcare services: including basic antenatal care services, services for children below 5 years of age, services for NCD patients including diabetic and hypertension, elderly, and differently abled persons.