MICAN cautions against nepotism in appointment of JNIMS director
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 21 2024: Meitei International Civic Action Network (MICAN) has demanded that any individual, who does not fulfil the criteria already in place regarding the post of director of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), should be appointed for the same.

In a joint statement issued by its chief co-ordinator AK Meitei and vice coordinator Khogen Kh, MICAN contended that after JNIMS director Dr Laishram Deben's term expired on July 7, there are reports of some people hobnobbing for the post, regardless of whether one is qualified for the same or not.

Stating that it would be best for such persons to give up the idea of occupying the seat force, MICAN urged for first reflecting on whether they have the necessary qualifications, standards, experience, other criteria, and qualities like selflessness and leadership.

It would be even better to relinquish from eyeing the post and getting promoted through splurging money.

JNIMS is not only the largest government hospital in the state but also an institution producing and moulding quality doctors.

As such, the government should consider the matter of appointment of JNIMS director seriously and not appoint any ineligible person based on connections or favouritism.

If the government acts against the wishes of the people then it should be ready to face the consequences, it stated while cautioning that "any individual appointed as director of JNIMS through improper means will not be allowed to step inside the campus".

MICAN is well aware of individuals, who do not even known how to run a department and have records of engaging in wrong activities, trying to secure the post.

Thus, the appointment of JNIMS director should be done as per the rules and regulations, it stated, while drawing the attention of the chief minister and the health minister in this regard.

MICAN further said that after JNIMS Society was dissolved, the institution has been in disarray, as per complaints from the patients and through survey of the departments.

The lack of reagents has lengthened and delayed the time for diagnostic tests and there have been also shortage of syringes on some days.

Cases of the staff charging Rs 100 per ticket from patients visiting the OPD, regardless of age are numerous, while the doctors at the Casualty and Trauma Centre are colluding with the pharmacies, it alleged.

Further stating that shortage of laboratory technicians has led to staff of Central Sample Collection Centre getting into arguments with patients on daily basis, the Network stressed the need to engage adequate number of lab technicians on daily wage system or provide the opportunity to honorary staff of JNIMS during the engagement.

As JNIMS is for the people, the appointment of the new director should not be done carelessly, the statement maintained and further urged for addressing shortages faced by the institution, while adding that it will continue to assist in the efforts for upgrade of JNIMS hospital.

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