Tousem PHC given new lease of life
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 07 2014 :
People of Tousem Sub-Division can now breathe more easily as the new medical facilities at PHC Tousem are now functioning smoothly after the Government provided necessary infrastructure, medical staff and equipment recently.
It may be mentioned that the PHC remained non-functional for many years and the people of Tousem launched an agitation against the Government's apathy.
Speaking to reporters, Hill Areas Committee (HAC) Vice-Chairman Z Kikhonbou Newmai said that Tousem PHC, which covers around 67 villages, is one of the oldest health centres of Tamenglong district.
However, the centre could not function properly for the past 30 years due to the absence of adequate manpower, equipment and infrastructure, he added.
The Vice-Chairman further said that although a new building of the PHC was constructed under RSVY in 2005-2006, doctors and nurses never wanted to be posted at the Sub-Division due to it remoteness, bad road condition and absence of staff quarters.
Considering all these difficulties, the State Government entrusted an NGO known as Krunatras to manage the health centres of Borbekra, Poumul and Tousem in 2010-11, he added.
However, the NGO moved out of the MoU signed with the Government after two years, he said and added that the PHC was functioned by two NRHM nurses for around 4 months without any doctor.
With the Chief Minister and Health Minister giving special attention to health and education of interior areas, five doctors including two Ayush doctors, necessary equipment and infrastructure were provided to the PHC recently enabling the centre to run smoothly, Kikhonbou Newmai said.
Saying that construction of staff quarters is also nearing completion, Kikhonbou said that the PHC is now equipped with ultrasound machine, blood testing equipment, generator, medical kits and ambulance van.
Kikhonbou said that he had also provided a giant solar lamp to the centre.
Under the Inclusive Hills Growth Infrastructure Building Project, constructions of BDO office, police barrack, bank building and quarters are on in full swing, he added.
Kikhonbou said that he had recently inspected the condition of the 80-km road which connects Tousem and Tamenglong.
He said that although he repairs the road in some sections with funds from his local area development fund, the road is too long to repair the whole stretch with his fund.
As such, the condition of the road is deplorable as both PMGSY and NEC have stopped providing fund for the construction and repairing of the road, which is the lifeline of Tousem sub-division.
He said that the sub-division would see some developments if the Asian Development Bank or NEC provides fund of around Rs one crore to the infrastructure and road developments.
Kikhonbou said that he has also inspected the construction of Makru bridge.
He said that the State Government had provided a Shaktiman truck to Tousem Block Village Chairman for the transportation of passengers and goods.
Kikhonbou added that the Chief Minister had instructed him to recruit locals as medical staff for the interior areas like Tousem if there is any competent and qualified person.
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