Healthcare deficits aired at ATMA conference
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 10 2024: The two-day 2nd medical conference of All Tangkhul Medicos ' Association (ATMA) held on the theme 'Bridging the gap in modern healthcare' at Hotel Yaiphaba, Thangal Bazar concluded on Sunday.

The inaugural function of the conference was attended by IGP (Ops) Dr IK Muivah as chief guest.

The conference featured scientific sessions on various medical topics and deliberation on health structure in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts by the CMOs concerned as different speakers pointed out that the 100-bedded Ukhrul district hospital has only 18 medical officers (MO) at present against 47 sanctioned posts.

Noting that only seven specialists are in service contrary to 27 mandated positions, they also highlighted other shortcomings in the hospital including 15 nursing staffers against 40 sanctioned posts, and 77 support staff contrary to 176 provisioned while in terms of the district there is total of 258 medical staffers against 503 sanctioned.

The speakers also reflected on even grimmer picture of health-care structure in Kamjong district, stating that out of 38 sanctioned posts only 12 doctors are available while strength of the nursing staff stands at only six contrary to 14 posts sanctioned.

Out of 19 Primary Health Sub Centres (PHSCs) in the district, buildings of 13 are either unusable or do not exist at all whereas Kamjong district hospital has only one specialist.

The Kamjong CHC was officially upgraded to a district hospital in November 2017, but there has been no infrastructure development ini tiated till date, rued the speakers.

The conference ended a panel discussion with Ukhrul CHSRC MD Dr Nelson Vashum, ATMA president Dr Wormi Sharon, and JNIMS assistant professor (anaesthesiology) Dr Kasomhung Soreingam as speakers.

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