Imphal, August 01: Taking a resolute stand against the Government decision to shift the Old District Hospital, Joint Committee of Medical Department Employees� Association, Family Welfare Department Employees� Association and Manipur Health Services Officers� Association has stated that it would use every means within its disposal to prevent the shift from its present location.

Whatever punishment the Government might give, the Committee would not budge from its stand and oppose the move for shifting the hospital from its complex tooth and nail, Committee representatives said.

Addressing a press conference today, Committee chairman Dr Th Suresh questioned the rationale behind the decision of the Government and pointed out as a matter of fact the Government should be trying to improve the condition of the hospital located at the heart of the city so that people coming from far flung areas can have medical accessibility.

Informing that numerous memorandum and ultimatum have been served to oppose the Government�s move, Dr Suresh said that the Committee had earlier resolved to go on a cease work strike in the month July, but it had to be suspended in view of the prevailing situation in the State.

The Committee would be soon serving another ultimatum to the Government and if it does not give any positive response, then the Committee would be constrained to take up the agitation, Dr Suresh further said.

Denouncing the alleged double standard of the Government, Committee advisor Dr W Budhendra wondered why the Government had to shift the hospital from its present complex to facilitate construction of temporary market sheds to accommodate displaced shopkeepers of BT Road when the State Cabinet had already taken a decision for modernizing the hospital under Japan Government funding.

This only shows that the Government has no vision and concerned for the welfare of its people, he added.

Pin pointing out lack of infrastructure and upto date medical equipments in PHSCs and PHCs located in different parts of the State as well as in the District Hospitals, Old District Hospital and JN Hospital, Dr Budhendra remarked that money collected from OPD tickets and admission fee from these hospitals and health centres are being accrued to the Government as taxes regularly, though nothing has been done to improve their condition.

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