Mizoram faces a shortage of medicines, writes to Centre on blockade

AIZAWL: The Mizoram Health Minister has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home and Health Ministers to intervene as the state has been facing a severe crisis of medicines including life saving and COVID-19 related drugs due to the "economic blockade" on the National Highway-306.

Mizoram Health and Family Welfare Minister on Tuesday said in Aizawl that the hilly state has been facing an acute crisis of vital medicines and urged the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to intervene at the earliest to prevent any health crisis that may soon engulf Mizoram and which would be beyond the control of anybody.

Lalthangliana wrote separate letters to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Health Minister detailing the medicine crisis due to the "economic blockade" on the National Highway-306, which connects the hilly state with the rest of the country via Assam.

Lalthangliana said that following the border dispute and clash on July 26, the Assam government summoned all the transporters (in Guwahati) who have been operating between the two states to stop transporting any goods into Mizoram due to "security concerns".

"This resulted in a complete halt of any type of goods coming to the state including basic medicines, life-saving medicines and COVID-19 medicines as well. Even oxygen cylinders, oxygen plant materials, and COVID-19 test kits have been blocked."

The Minister said that never before in the history of this country has anyone resorted to such a draconian and inhumane act to his fellow citizens.

"The basic fundamental right to life as guaranteed by the Indian constitution which includes the right to basic health care and medicines have been denied by the belligerent activities of the Assam government," Lalthangliana said."As true citizens of the country, we are entitled to an amicable and positive response and intervention from the Central government at this critical time. (IANS)

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