New Delhi: Home Minister P Chidambaram is expected to visit Manipur on Wednesday on the 94th day of the economic blockade.
Bare essentials are scarce and 2 highways remain blocked. This even after the government agreed to the Kuki's demand of granting Sadar hills- a separate district status.
Rival Naga groups have now threatened to intensify the protests.
The blockade in the region has led to two National Highways remaining blocked. For nearly 100 days now, even the basic essentials like oxygen cylinders are hard to get.
"We don't know if we will be able to proceed day after tomorrow. Tomorrow we can but I don't know what will happen the next day," said Jogendra, superintendent of the Sija Hospital.
Jogendra, the superintendent of one of Manipur's largest private hospitals is fighting the worst crisis of his medical career. He makes his rounds, checks on his patients, but all with a heavy heart.
Sija hospital, just like others in Manipur, is facing an acute shortage of medical supplies because of the economic blockade.
Oxygen, IV drips, essential medicines have run out and the supplies take weeks to come.
"Medicine companies have stopped sending their supplies. The hospitals are sending private vehicles to get medicines, but even then there is a big question mark if the vehicle will return or not," said Jogendra.
Many hospitals have even stopped admitting patients to save oxygen for the already admitted critical patients.
Thoiba, brother of a patient admitted in the ICU, said he was terrified to even imagine what the next day might bring.
"I am terrified to think what will happen tomorrow. Oxygen is in short supply. Whatever be the cause, let all essential commodities be allowed to go freely," said Thoiba.
For some, it is the cost that's a nightmare.
It was an uphill task for M Gambing, 50, whose 20-year-old daughter is getting operated the second time, to even get her to the hospital.
"The hospital is only 15 km away, but I had to pay thrice the amount to the ambulance. Everything is so expensive, medicines are so expensive. We don't know how we will manage," said Gambing.
People of Manipur say optimism is the only way out. They can't let the fear of tomorrow sink in. Hundreds of patients and their families are praying that they are granted the basic right to proper health care and the dignity to breathe freely.
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