HC endorses PIL on CCpur DH
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte

Churachandpur, March 01 2022: The High Court of Manipur will on Wednesday continue hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Thanglianmung on January 24, 2022 against the state of Manipur and others over shortcomings in the district hospital, Churachandpur.

The PIL, filed in the HC (PIL No 3 of 3022, Thanglianmung v State of Manipur & Ors) by his counsel Narhang Shangnonkim highlighted the shortage of manpower, specialist doctors, medical officers, etc., in Churachandpur District Hospital, which has been hampering effective functioning of the district hospital and inconveniencing the patients.

As per the Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) guidelines, the minimum essential manpower required for a functional district hospital of 200-bedded strength is about 166 medical and para-medical staff and 66 administrative staff, excluding Grade-IV staff.

According to an RTI filed by the petitioner, the district hospital which is under the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, has 209 beds.

But out of 324 sanctioned posts, the district hospital has a staff strength of 205 only (72 doctors, 55 nurses and 78 other hospital staff).

The petition stated that due to inadequate healthcare services, people are constraint to go to other private hospitals or mostly referred to JNIMS or RIMS hospital located in Imphal, which is about 64 kms from the district.

This has led to deprivation of fundamental rights of the people living in rural areas as embodied under Article 21 of the Constitution as it is an essential obligation of the government to provide adequate medical facilities to the people as stated by the Supreme Court in Paschim Bangakhet Mazdoor Samiti case.

The petitioner prayed for the intervention of the High Court of Manipur in these matters by way of issuing directions to the respondents so as to ensure adequate specialist doctors and necessary manpower at Churachandpur District Hospital.

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