IT Correspondent
Jiribam, Jan 18:
The District Hospital Monitoring Committee has decided to suspend its 24-hour general strike, which was scheduled to commence at midnight on January 17. This decision comes in light of recent developments regarding the ongoing issues related to the shortage of doctors and medical equipment at the district hospital.
A press conference held today at the Jiri Ima Meira Paibi Apunba Lup (JIMPAL) office featured representatives from the District Hospital Monitoring Committee and local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) of Jiribam. During the conference, Phanjaobam Manteshori Devi, a member of the committee, articulated the group’s long-standing demands for the district hospital to be recognized as a full-fledged facility. Key among these demands is the appointment of a regular Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and Medical Superintendent (MS).
Manteshori Devi expressed gratitude towards the authorities for addressing some of the committee’s concerns, notably the recent order that resulted in the posting of additional doctors at the Jiribam Community Health Centre (CHC) and the elevation of the hospital’s status to that of a district hospital. However, she pointed out that the critical appointments of a qualified CMO and MS remain unfulfilled.
In a decisive move, Manteshori Devi set a 10-day ultimatum for the government to fully implement the recent orders and address the remaining demands. “We acknowledge the progress made so far, but it is crucial that the remaining issues are resolved promptly,” she stated. “If the government fails to address the grievances of the people of Jiribam within this time frame, we will have no choice but to resume our agitation.”