JNIMS docs highlight grievances

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 22 : More than 153 healthcare providers in Manipur have been infected with SARS COV2 (COVID-19) so far and staff of JNIMS who have been tested positive for the virus are suffering due to lack of accommodation facilities at present, said Teachers’ Association, JNIMS today giving the hospital’s authority one week’s time to address their issues.
In a statement, the Teachers’ Association said its members held a general body meeting today at JNIMS main auditorium chaired by Dr Rajendra Thangjam, Professor and Head of Department of Medicine.
The meeting discussed the current development at JNIMS and took several resolutions denouncing the “lack of appreciation and empathy by authority”.
The Teachers’ Association said it strongly  condemns Clause 3(b) of the Record of Discussions regarding COVID-19 treatment capacity between Director (RIMS) and Director (JNIMS) chaired by the Chief Secretary held on October 20 which denies hospital bed to  COVID-19 positive asymptomatic staff.
The Clause 3 (b) states “Staff/doctors of RIMS/JNIMS who tested positive but asymptomatic should undergo home isolation as per SOP or be shifted to CCCs (COVID-19 Care Centres). Under no circumstances should they occupy COVID beds in violation of SOP.”
“More than 153 health care providers have been infected with SARS COV2 (COVID-19) so far. The staff of the institute who are COVID-19 positive are suffering due to lack of accommodation facilities at present. The dedicated COVID warriors/staff of JNIMS are disheartened by the lack of appreciation and empathy by authority,” the association said urging JNIMS authority to arrange proper and adequate accommodation facilities for its staff at the hospital.
The association further said that the hospital authority should “reconsider opening new COVID Ward(s) at JNIMS without proper manpower and infrastructure.”
The general body meeting also elected new officer bearers. Dr H Kulabidhu Singh, Professor Rajendra Thangjam and Dr S Bikramaditya were elected as president, vice president and general secretary respectively, said the association.