Arunachal Pradesh has lost one of its earliest frontline healthcare workers with the demise of veteran pharmacist Ume Perme. He breathed his last at around 4 am on Thursday at his native New Borguli village, East Siang district after prolonged illness. He was 77.
Perme was widely respected as a NEFA-era healthcare pioneer who brought medical care to some of the most remote border areas of the state when roads, communication and health infrastructure were almost non-existent.
Born as Umeshwar Perme on December 30, 1948 to late Gumin Perme and late Yamoni Perme at Namsing village field. He joined the government service as pharmacist on January 12, 1972, when the state was still known as NEFA, and served till his retirement on February 1, 1992.
He began his career at Siyum Circle in Upper Subansiri, close to the Indo-China border, where he served for four years. Apart from serving local tribal communities in extreme terrain and weather, he also provided medical support to Army personnel suffering from high-altitude ailments. His final posting was at Borguli, his native village, where he served till retirement.
Perme is particularly remembered for his role during two major health crises in Lower Mebo. In 1985, when a bloody dysentery outbreak hit Lower Mebo villages, Borguli Health Centre, now PHC Borguli, was the only facility for the entire region, and Perme led the response. Two years later, during the 1987 malaria epidemic that affected Monggu-Banggo villages, he worked day and night to treat patients, often managing the centre alone in the absence of a doctor.
Apart from his official duties, he was known for his social work, serving inmates at the leprosy colony in Pasighat and volunteering in community works at Rengging during construction of the Pasighat-Pangin road as a student.
He is survived by five sons, three daughters and grandchildren. His wife, late Abul Tayeng Perme, had predeceased him.