Minister Nemcha distributes "Food Basket" for TB patients in Manipur's Kangpokpi AC

Manipur's Textiles, Commerce, and Industry and Corporation Minister, Nemcha Kipgen, who is also the local MLA of Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency distributed "Food Basket" for TB patients in her constituency today.

The "Food Basket" for TB patients was distributed at El-Shaddai, the Blessed Home, at Kilkhong Veng, Ward No.13 at Kangpokpi District Headquarters in the presence of the District Tuberculosis Officer, Dr. Len Kamkhosat Khongsai.

The Food Basket contained cereals, vegetable oil, and other nutritional foods including eggs.

Speaking at the distribution function, Minister Nemcha Kipgen stressed the importance of nutritional food for TB patients while highlighting that most cases of Tuberculosis in society can be prevented if nutritional levels are improved among the poor and most deaths can be prevented if the patients receive more comprehensive care inclusive of nutritional support.

The Minister also encouraged TB patients and family members to maintain proper and healthy habits while strongly emphasizing the importance of hygienic and other indoor and outdoor preventive measures.

With an aim to achieve a "TB-Free Assembly Constituency," the Minister invited and encouraged citizens, non-governmental organizations, corporate sector, institutions, NGOs, business houses, village chiefs, etc. to sponsor monthly "Food Basket" or take care of the food and nutritional requirements of TB patients who require good quality nutrition to tame the infection.

There are identified food baskets for adults and parents, which any sponsor can fund through the district-level officials managing the TB program.

Altogether, around ten on-treatment TB patients in Kangpokpi AC were given the "Food Basket" containing nutritional food today.

According to the District Tuberculosis Officer, Dr. Len Kamkhosat Khongsai, there are around 60 on-treatment TB patients in Kangpokpi district.

He said that the number of on-treatment TB patients increased after the wide-scale violence hit the state adding that there were only 15/20 on-treatment TB patients in the district before the violence.

While highlighting the grievance of the District Tuberculosis Department, Dr. Len Kamkhosat Khongsai said that there is no more staff under his department and even his post as a District Tuberculosis Officer is also not an MGEL post.

He highlighted that at least eighteen staff/posts including laboratory technicians are required but not a single post or staff is currently available at the District Tuberculosis Office.

He said that there were few staff before the violence but owing to the ongoing violence they could no longer stay in Kangpokpi.

He further highlighted the grievance in the transportation of samples, tests, follow-up of on-treatment patients, etc. owing to the non-availability of staff.