Shortages galore at Haochong PHC

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 21 : Shortage of medical supplies, a leaking roof, and inadequate manpower, the People's United Youth Alliance (PUYA) and the Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee (FNCC) have exposed the grim condition of Haochong Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Noney district.
Today, representatives of PUYA and FNCC inspected Haochong PHC as part of their ongoing drive to assess the condition of public healthcare facilities.
During the inspection, it was found that the PHC lacks adequate number of doctors, the roof of the building was leaking, only a substitute staff nurse was available, and the laboratory room was being used as a storeroom.
The inspection team alleged that even surgical cotton is not provided to the PHC.
Situated about 14 km from the Noney District Headquarters, the PHC currently has only one regular doctor, two contractual doctors, one staff nurse, and four ANM workers.
Haochong chairman Nampi Khunba said the PHC in his village has been functioning with shortages of various essential facilities and resources for many years.
The PHC does not have any specialist doctors although the health centre caters to around 20,000 people.
He expressed desire for the Government to upgrade the PHC to a Community Health Centre (CHC) and post adequate doctors and nurses at the facility.
He also said that although Noney district headquarters is around 14 km from Haochong, it takes nearly two hours to travel due to poor road conditions.
Nampi further claimed that some villagers had died while being taken to Imphal because of the poor condition of the road.
FNCC convenor Ng Akhiu expressed disappointment over the Government posting only three doctors at Haochong PHC.
Claiming that PHCs in Imphal have more doctors and nurses, he accused the Government of stepmotherly treatment towards the people of Haochong and Noney.
Describing the condition of the PHC as deplorable, Akhiu said neglecting such a vital healthcare facility is unforunate.
He added that the health centre serves not only the residents of Haochong but also those of neighbouring villages.
Saying that Haochong is closely associated with the history of Manipur, he questioned whether such neglect on the Government's part would help foster hill-valley unity.
PUYA general secretary Longjam Abothe Meitei accused the Government of acting in the interests of pharmaceutical companies by supplying uncommon medicines to healthcare facilities while failing to provide commonly used medicines.
He claimed that people have to travel for about two hours to Noney to obtain commonly prescribed medicines, as they are unavailable at the PHC, while stocks of rarely used medicines remain unused and are eventually discarded after their expiry.
Questioning whether people in the hill districts would listen to the Government's call for unity if such issues persist, he urged the Chief Minister to take immediate steps to address the matter.