Health minister cautions negligent employees
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 10 2023:
While advising officials and staff of the Health Department, to discharge their duties diligently, health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan has cautioned of initiating punitive actions against negligent employees.
Speaking as chief guest of a breast cancer awareness programme cum panel discussion jointly organised by National Programme for Prevention and Control of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Control and Stroke (NPCDCS) under National Health Mission and the Directorate of Health Services on the theme "Together we rise" at Classic Grande, Chingmeirong on Tuesday, minister Dr Ranjan stressed on the importance to en sure that health schemes and programmes taken up by the government should be made accessible to all right from the grassroots level.
While remarking that the healthcare settings in the hill districts are not up to the mark, he reminded that chief medical officers of the districts concerned are responsible to ensure that all types of medicines provided by the government reach the needy people.
There are instances where the medicines are not dispensed to the needy but are left unattended till expiry, lamented the minister.
While pointing out that the government would not remain silent over such issues, Dr Ranjan made it clear that strict actions would be taken up against those officials and staff who do not perform satisfactorily in implementing the government schemes and programmes.
The minister also pointed out that any programme of the government could be fruitful only when all work together selflessly and create awareness at the grassroots level.
Minister Ranjan also informed that 16 per cent of the cancer patients in the state are suffering from breast cancer.
The number of breast cancer patient is more than those suffering from cervical cancer.
This ailment is also common among young women.
To control this, we need to put effort with a commitment, minister added.
He maintained that proper training of the medical professionals, health staff and field workers are necessary to take care of the evolving scenario in the state.
The state government has also been working relent lessly to improve the health care system of the state.
Chief Minister's Health for All has been launched for bringing a change in the health care system of the state.
The health department has also started screening for NCDs in the state, he elaborated.
Presided over by health director Dr Kh Shasheekumar Mangang, the function was also attended by state mission director NHM Dr Somorjit Ningombam and additional director (Public Health) Dr Y Gopalkrishna as guests of honour.
The minister also distributed appreciation letters to the outstanding performers in different categories as a part of the programme.
The health director also flagged of a walkathon from the premises of the directorate of health, Lamphelpat.
The Breast PINK Walkathon flagged off from Medical Directorate complex by Health Services director Dr Kh Sasheekumar Man-gang at 7:45 am Tuesday passed through Khwairamband Keithel via Uripok Kangchup road and returned back to starting point through Nagamapal and RIMS road.
The Walkathon was participated by Medical Directorate and State Health Society officials led by NCD SNO Imphal West and Imphal East District officials, JNIMS Karkinos Cancer Institute staff, RIMS Lamphelpat PBCR doctors, students of College of Nursing & Ideal Girls College, etc.
The rallyists held placards, flex posters showing the risk of breast cancer and need of annual breast examination by trained health care personnel.
Community health officers also performed a street show about the steps of 'Self Breast Examination'.
An Academic Workshop accredited By Manipur Medical Council was also held on the theme - 'Prevention, Diagnosis and Management with special reference to strengthening of breast cancer screening and management in different health centres and linkage with secondary and tertiary institutes' .
Faculties from State Health Directorate, Department Of Radiotherapy, Community Medicine, Pathology, RIMS Lamphelpat; faculties from Gynae-oncology JNIMS Karkinos Cancer Institute; American Oncology Institute; Trevi Hospital; District Hospital Churachandpur; and CHC Wangoi deliberated at the workshop.
A panel discussion was also conducted involving different stakeholders including state and district health officers regarding improving cancer care in the state.
The Breast Cancer Awareness Month is observed from October 1 till 31, but in the state it will be held from January 1 to 31 in all the district headquarters, district hospitals and health & wellness centres.
The observance will include programmes such as conducting of awareness camps, clinical breast examination at health centres, strengthening of the laboratory aspects in district hospitals and linking with pathology centres, linking with RIMS and JNIMS for diagnosis and confirmation and capacity building-training for MOs, surgeons, pathologists and nurses.