DESAM demands
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 12 2020:
The Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur has urged authorities concerned to open RIMS Psychiatry Ward.
Speaking to media persons at its office at Kwakeithel, DESAM secretary general Leishangthem Lamyanba said that the closure of RIMS Psychiatry Ward amid the COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense hardship to the patients concerned.
Stating Manipur has high number of psychiatric patients owing to many personal and social issues like little per capita income, armed conflict etc, he said these patients need care more than ever due to the COVID-19 lockdown.
He further maintained that the Psychiatry Ward which has now been shifted to the Dental College campus due to COVID-19 has not been able to accommodate and treat patients like before.
Lamenting that the Dental College lacks confidential and counselling rooms among other facilities, Lamyanba pointed out that other hospitals elsewhere are running 24x7 psychiatry service and helpine number to assist people with stress amid the COVID-19 crisis.
Only around 30-40 patients a day are being treated at RIMS now, he said asserting that the Psychiatry Ward used to treat around 150-200 patients a day before COVID.
Commenting on healthcare workers and police personnel being infected with the virus, Lamyanba opined that authorities concerned should check whether it was a result of lapses in the management or issues with the PPEs.
The healthcare workers, police personnel and volunteers should be provided proper PPEs and authorities concerned should check whether the PPEs are up to standard, he said.