Doctors transfer disrupts 24 X 7 service at Khoirom PHC

Thoubal, May.21: A public uproar is gaining momentum in general Yairipok area in Thoubal district after a recent order affecting the simultaneous transfer of all four doctors of Yairipok Khoirom Primary Health Centre and playing spoilsports to the popular measures being taken up by the administration in right earnest for the improvement of public health service.    
The villagers had with much gratitude and expectation welcomed the launching of 24X7 service at the PHC just one year back by the directorate of Manipur Health Services. However, all previous appreciation seemed to have dissipated into thin air in one single blow after the transfer of the medical officer in charge and the three other doctors posted there. The list of inconveniences arising from the absence of doctors has multiplied. However, the replacement doctors have not been sent to the health centre so far. A direct fallout of the botch up in the implementation of the state’s policy on staff rotation at its health centres is the undesirable cancellation of the popular 24 X 7 service at Khoirom PHC.   
The local residents who are presently thrown into an unfavourable situation have drawn the attention of the administration to take prompt actions for sending the replacements for the transferred doctors and filling up the already shortage of staff at the centre like attendants, nurses and also furnishing the required infrastructure and equipment at the centre.
The appeal from the local people to the authority on solving the outstanding issues at the health centre came along with a warning stating that if the complaints raised are not taken care of within five days then serious agitations including the drastic step to lock the heath centre will be taken up.
The district health authorities were apprised of the prevailing condition at the centre by providing the detailed information several times. However, none of them have been taken seriously and no actions have been initiated so far.