Source: The Sangai Express / Jacob Panmei
Jiribam, May 17:
The existing scenario of health care delivery system in Jiribam sub-division is in a pitiable state and in comparison with the Community Health Centre (CHC) in the town which is functioning to some extent, the situation is unimaginably worst in the far-flung areas of the sub-division.
Even in the CHC of the town, shortages of many basic equipments like X-ray machine and Sonography, etc have become the hall-mark of medical set-up in Jiribam.
Due to absence of basic medical facilities, poor patients have been compelled to go to the Silchar Medical College or other medical institutions of Cachar district in Assam.
In fact, the medical staff posted in Jiribam are taking their profession for granted by enjoying their salary while confining at their native places.
During a recent medical survey conducted by a media team at Borobekra PHC in Barak circle of Jiribam, some shocking truths came to the fore.
The biggest surprise was the revelation that a ward attendant cum chowkidar of the PHC has been giving injection to the needy patients in the absence of the assigned doctors.
Interacting with the media team, the chowkidar identified as Kh Surendro further revealed that he has been doing it for the past many years.
According to him, the assigned officers of the PHC who have never been seen since its establishment include Dr John Fimate (Medical officer), Dr Okendro, Khamba (microscopist), Sanjay (male nurse) and Tongkholian Paite (immunisation supervisor).
Furthermore, during the course of the survey, it came to light that one nurse identified as Roma instead of attending to her duty at Bungthangkhal PHC where she is posted used to administer Pulse Polio Immunisation from a Pan Dukan.
The inefficiency of the medical set up even in the proper town of Jiribam can be noticed.
According to a reliable source, Dr L Baba Singh, who is the Chief Medical Officer of the CHC used to visit his office in Jiri only to withdraw his salary.
The said medical officer has also reportedly set up his private clinic somewhere in Sonai of Cachar district.
As per reports culled, Dr Baba has been misusing the materials supplied by the Medical Department by lifting away all the issued materials to his native house at Cachar.
One source added that he has siphoned of even the LOC funds provided for the CHC.
According to a patient, the doctors of the CHC write medical prescriptions to be bought from their chosen pharmacies so that some percentage can be shared in the evening every day.
Nevertheless, there are atleast three doctors, excluding Dr Baba, in the CHC who are carrying out their duties faithfully to some extend.
It is the demand of the Jiribam people that atleast the basic medical requirements of the people is provided to them and the medical set up maintained efficiently.
If the present trend continues, then the populace of the sub-division may rather prefer to exist without the medical set-up which is only existing only in name sake.