Tml Dist Hospital found lacking in all aspects MS doubles up as maintenance man !

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 23 : Healthcare services in public healthcare facilities have long been hampered by shortages of manpower and inadequate infrastructure and Tamenglong District Hospital is no exception, as it continues to grapple with acute staff shortage and poor infrastructure, affecting the delivery of healthcare services in the district.
The situation at the district hospital is so severe that the Medical Superintendent (MS) is not only responsible for overseeing the hospital's administration but also carries out electrical repairs and general maintenance work due to the absence of technical and support staff. The hospital has a generator but there is no support staff to operate it when required.  
A joint team of the People's United Youth Alliance (PUYA), Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee (FNCC) and the Joint Tribe Students' Association (JTSA) inspected Tameng-long District Hospital today.
During the inspection, the team found inadequate power supply, shortage of support staff, lack of reliable water supply, and the absence of paediatric and surgical specialists.
The team also found that six of the hospital's 17 nurses are substitute nurses.
Speaking to the media, FNCC convenor Akhiu Ngaomei said the condition of Tamenglong District Hospital reflects the Government's neglect of the public healthcare sector in the State.
Referring to the deployment of substitute nurses at the hospital, Ngaomei questioned whether the Government has authorised the posting of substitute staff.
Stating that they had come across substitute staff, including doctors and nurses, working at various public healthcare facilities, he said the Government should remove employees who are unwilling to serve at their designated places of posting.
Saying that the Government employees failing to report to their designated places of posting would widen the divide between the hill and valley communities, he urged the Chief Minister and the Director of Health Services to end political interference in the transfer and posting of Government employees.
Akhiu also said that the construction of a nursing institute in the district, which began nearly five years ago, is still incomplete.
Stating that the establishment of the nursing institute would greatly benefit the district, particularly students aspiring to become nurses, he alleged that the MLAs and the Tamenglong Deputy Commissioner, however, have turned a blind eye to the delay in its completion.
PUYA general secretary Longjam Abothe questioned whether the Government is wilfully neglecting the people of Tamenglong.
Expressing disappointment over the condition of Tamenglong District Hospital, he said that the majority of public healthcare facilities in Manipur don't have adequate manpower and infrastructure.
He said the district hospital does not have technical staff to operate essential equipment such as X-ray and ultrasound machines.
Abothe further stated that the hospital's water supply is sourced from a nearby hill, resulting in water scarcity during the dry season.
He urged the Government to address the manpower shortages and infrastructure deficiencies at the district hospital.
JTSA representatives said they have been urging the Government to take necessary steps to ensure better healthcare services in the district, but no action has been taken so far.
They also said that the Government has posted an excessive number of doctors, nurses and technical staff in certain areas, while many hill districts continue to function with limited staff.