Dialysis Patients in Manipur Demand Urgent Government Action to Clear Pending Dues and Save Lives Dependent on CMHT and PMJAY Schemes
In a heart-wrenching appeal for survival, dialysis patients in Manipur took to the streets on October 31, urging the state government to immediately release pending payments to private hospitals under the Chief Ministergi Hakselgi Tengbang (CMHT) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) schemes.
The protest, led by the All Manipur Dialysis Patients’ Association (AMDPA), began from Keishampat Leimajam Leikai with a planned march towards the Raj Bhavan. However, the rally was halted midway by police, preventing demonstrators from reaching the Governor’s residence.
Holding placards and chanting slogans, the protesters — many of them dialysis patients and their families — demanded that the government take immediate steps to prevent private hospitals from suspending CMHT and PMJAY services starting November 6.
Lakshmi, an executive member of AMDPA, expressed deep concern over the looming crisis. “The lives of kidney patients have become uncertain after private hospitals announced plans to stop CMHT and PMJAY services due to non-payment of dues. Most patients cannot afford dialysis without government assistance,” she said.
She added that repeated appeals to the authorities had gone unanswered, leaving patients with no choice but to protest. “Even in their fragile health, these patients are on the streets because survival is at stake,” Lakshmi lamented.
One emotional dialysis patient said, “We fear for our lives if CMHT and PMJAY services are stopped. Thousands depend on these schemes. We’re not asking for luxury — we’re asking for life.”
The AMDPA warned that if the government fails to act before November 6, it would intensify its agitation and hold authorities responsible for any deaths resulting from the suspension of dialysis services.
The dialysis patients in Manipur have made their demand clear — release the funds, restore faith in healthcare, and let them continue their fight for life with dignity.
