PUYA questions sincerity of health workers

By Our Staff Reporter
Imphal, Jul 20: The Peoples United Youth Alliance (PUYA) has questioned the sincerity and accountability of doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel serving at Government facilities after inspecting Chandel District Hospital and two other public healthcare centres.
Today, a team of PUYA, accompanied by representatives of the Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee (FNCC), inspected Chandel District Hospital, Komlathabi Primary Health Centre (PHC) and Sugnu Sub-District Hospital.
During the inspection, two separate attendance registers were found to be maintained at Komlathabi PHC, while at Chandel District Hospital, some staff members had already signed the attendance register for dates up to July 31.
When questioned about the maintenance of two attendance registers, staff of Komlathabi PHC reportedly told the inspection team that they had begun collecting the signatures of the PHC employees after learning about the inspection drive being carried out by PUYA.
Speaking to the media, PUYA general secretary Longjam Abothe alleged that many doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel drawing Government salaries are not discharging their duties sincerely.
Claiming that the inspection team came across a substitute doctor working at one of the healthcare centres during its recent inspection drive, he questioned whether the Government would continue to ignore all the irregularities in the functioning of public healthcare facilities.
Abothe said Chandel District Hospital was found to be in a relatively better condition than several other district hospitals inspected by the organisation.
However, he alleged that some staff members had signed the attendance register for dates up to July 31.
He further stated that the team discussed the matter with the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Chandel District Hospital.
According to Abothe, the MS assured that steps would be taken to address the shortcomings and that the competent authority would be approached for the posting of the required specialist doctors at the hospital.
Abothe also said that the team inspected Sugnu Sub-District Hospital in Kakching district for the second time today and found that there had been no improvement in its condition since the previous inspection on June 26 last.
He alleged that a dental doctor had not signed the attendance register since February 25. As a result, he claimed, many patients were left waiting in vain for dental treatment. He further said that one patient had obtained a ticket on July 7 but still has not been able to consult a dental doctor till today. He urged the Health Directorate and all the CMOs concerned to look into the matter and do the needful at the earliest.