Imphal, July 25: Health Minister L. Jayantakumar today said that the barely 4 months old state government is facing lots of difficulties in the maintenance of the state Health department due to lack of adequate numbers of doctors.
Replying to questions raised by MLA K. Meghachandra Singh, during question hour of the state assembly session today, Health and Family Welfare Minister L. Jayantakumar said that the state health department has a total of 697 doctors (Medical Officers) when the minimum required doctor is 1385.
“Of these 697 doctors some are on leave for continuation of higher studies at which the government could not object and a total of 14 doctors who are specialized in their respective field have been absorbed at state run JNIMS as demanded per guidelines of the Medical Council of India. So, total number of doctors utilized at various PHCs and CHCs at present is only 474 which is hard to manage in the maintenance,” Jayantakumar said.
The Health Minister further said that the state government is working out for recruitment of 300aoctors and the MPSC has been directed to do the needful in the earliest possible time.
“Once the doctors are recruited the state Health Department will be able to fill the vacancy at many PHCs and CHCs in the state, Jyentakumar said.
Giving direct answer to MLA K. Meghachandra’s questions, the Health Minister said that acute shortage of Medical officers in the State Health Department is the reason for not providing 24×7 service at Khoirom and Charangpat PHCs however, the service is now available at Yairipok CHC. On the transfer of doctors from the said PHCs and CHC the Health Minister said that it was due to the rationalization with the limited strength of Medical Officers. The Minister also said that on July 15, 2017 additional Medical Officers have beenposted at the PHC Khoirom, PHC Charangpat and CHC Yairipok in the recent rationalization.
Meanwhile, a demand for grants of Rs.605,80,68,000/- has been granted for the Medical, Health and Family Welfare services later after the question hour. During the discussion for demand Congress MLA Kh. Joykishan , MLA K. Ranjit, MLA Th. Lokeshwar, MLA N Loken and MLA K Meghachandra moved policy cut motion on the various grounds. Failure to take measures for control of epidemic diseases during the recent flood , failure to regularize nurses in the health department , lack of equipments in Major Hospitals etc.
During the discussion for passing of the demand, MLA K Ranjit of Sugunu Assembly Constituency and MLA Th. Lokeshwar of Khundrakpam Assembly Constituency drew the attention of the Health Ministers for inuaguration of the CHCs and PHCs constructed at their respective assembly constituencies.
MLA K Ranjit said that the CHC at Sugunu has already been completed construction except some minor infrastructures and is only awaiting for inuaguration.
