DIPR
Imphal, Dec. 24, 2016: Manipur has witnessed a drastic change in its health sector in the last 15 years. The government has been wise enough to know that health sector should be given utmost priority and over Rs 800 Crores was invested during this period.
The state has invested around 4% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) annually in public health expenditure, as compared to the national average of 1.8% only. Health sector was improved considerably in both hills and valley areas alike, and hospitals in remote hill areas got a major makeover. New hospital buildings with all necessary infrastructures and staff were inaugurated at Ukhrul, Senapati, Churachandpur, Bishnupur, Thoubal and nearing completion in the case of Chandel and Tamenglong. In total, 13 Community Health Centres (CHCs), 63 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), 336 Primary Health Sub-Centre (PHSCs )and 343 staff quarters have been constructed so far.
Moreover, the Government of India-initiative National Health Mission is being successfully implemented in the state with about 2000 trained staff supplementing health efforts of the state government.
In a very laudable effort, the Government of Manipur has established Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), the first state-run medical institute, with an intake of 100 MBBS seats. Also, a BSc Nursing College was established.
Public-private partnership in health sector was made effective and hence, resulted in significant development of Shija Hospital, Sky Hospital, Jeevan Hospital and Christian Hospital. With this partnership, these hospitals are now charging less fees or providing free service to those patients under Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS). 75 out of 85 PHCs and 7 PHSCs were made into 24X7 delivery centres. 102 (One-Zero-Two) Call Centre dial-up ambulance facility have been made functional too.
On the other hand, health indicators saw a significant improvement in the last 15 years. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), which was 29 before 15 years, has now been reduced to 11; and immunization coverage increased by 17 % from 76.2 to 93.1 %. Number of Doctors in Position increased from 615 to 1068. The HIV menace in the state, too, witnessed sharp decline. During this period, the HIV Sero Positivity Rate reduced drastically by 94 %. This rate, in the case of pregnant women, also reduced by 91%.
Significant number for various posts of health sector were created and recruited. At present, the State has over 1700 MBBS doctors, including 265-plus PG Holders and 350-plus Clinical Specialists. Also, adequate number of nursing and para-medical staff have been recruited and deployed. The number of ANM/FHW in position increased from 412 to 543; while Dental Surgeons in Position saw 140% increase from 37 to 89 Allocation of the Health Plan Budget from the total Plan Outlay was increased from 2.8 % to 7%, which is much higher than national average, during these last 15 years.
