Rechecking hospital's modus operandi: needs an inclusive investigation
- Imphal Times Editorial :: September 10 2020 -

Private hospitals that refuse to provide health care service during crisis time are going to face the music, as chief Minister N.Biren Singh had ordered Principal Secretary (health) to serve show-cause notice to them.

Taking serious concern about an incident of doctors not attending o an expecting mother in a private hospital which went viral on social media the Chief Minister has stated that there is no point to open hospitals if there is no willingness to attend to the patients who require medical emergency.

The Chief Minister stated this while speaking in connection with a function for ambulance service to CMOs and the authority of the state Health services yesterday.

The Chief Minister had also rightly stated that the medical profession is known as human service and that hospital authorities can’t think for money and business alone.

Following the instruction, a mushrooming private hospital in the state is likely to take up measures for ensuring health care facilities to the needy in the coming days.

While the concern of the Chief Minister needs to be appreciated, the sorry part is that – he didn’t express anything about the way that the Government hospitals are running during this crisis time.

If a similar instruction is given to the Principal secretary health to doctors in a government hospital than people will acknowledge the seriousness of the Chief Minister in his effort to make sure that each and every citizen – whether infected by the novel coronavirus or those who are tested negative with the coronavirus gets medical facilities.

It is not only some private hospitals that refused to provide medical facilities to the emergency patient but there were already some cases of even government hospitals refusing to accept the emergency patient.

Well, it is an open secret that almost all COVID19 infected people are from either rich family or middle-class family who can at least manage to live life comfortably at the initial stage.

When Chief Minister N. Biren Singh launched his dream scheme CMHT, what he told the people is that the scheme will benefit the poor people who cannot afford medical expenses for their treatment.

Whether the purpose of CMHT actually serves the people is another matter that needs to be discussed at other topics, but what we the people understand is that there are many people who live on hand to mouth by becoming daily wage earners.

Pre COVID-19 intrusion show nearly 2000 patients attending at almost all government hospitals, including those at the District headquarters and the two premier hospitals – RIMS and JNIMS.

There is also no dearth of patients attending the private hospital during the time even after knowing that they have to spend more money.

The most affordable family chose private hospitals and even people leaving on hands to mouth sometimes preferred private hospitals as they felt life is more important than money.

Lately, during the pandemic, either due to apprehension or due to lack to trust, patient attendance to Government hospitals has been drastically decreased.

While, private hospitals like Shija Hospital and research center face no difference in patient attendance, the two most prestigious hospitals - RIMS and JNIMS witness a drastic decline of emergency patient attendance.

This is being put to the notice of those in the government particularly the Chief Minister of the state to constitute an inquiry committee on why people the private hospital when the state today have hospital like RIMS which has been equipped with the best medical technologies, infrastructures, and manpower.

JNIMS too is no different, there are best doctors who can provide treatment to any kind of disease.

Dr. Uthan, the RMO, is still the talk of the state for his commitment and dedication to his service.

But then why there is criticisms to these hospitals, when it can be easily noticed that those working at all government-run hospital are doing their best.

So far there has been no inquiry constituted on why the private hospital is becoming more popular than the government-run hospitals.

Instead of directing or instructing the Principal Secretary Health to serve notice to a specific private hospital, it will be beneficial for the state to constitute a, inquiry committee to find out what is wrong to the running of the government hospitals.

And why the people started having the trust of a private hospital.