Posted at Tamenglong, utilised at Thoubal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 23 2017: Even as the incumbent Government led by Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren has been mulling over introduction of air ambulance service in the State to cater to emergency medical requirements in interior and remote areas, some specialist doctors are being utilised elsewhere rather than at the places where they are posted.

Tamenglong is said to be most backward among the districts of Manipur in terms of transport infrastructure as well as health care facilities but specialist doctors posted at Tamenglong district hospital are being utilised at Thoubal.

At the same time, some doctors who have been posted at Tamenglong district hospital have never shown up at the hospital.

One ENT specialist doctor who was posted at Tamenglong district hospital last year has not joined his place of posting till date.

One Gynaecology specialist doctor posted at the hospital is being utilised at Thoubal district hospital, according to Tamenglong Chief Medical Officer Dr Chambo Gonmei.

There should be 10 specialist doctors at Tamenglong district hospital and the Government posted some specialist doctors at the hospital.

However, there is not a single specialist doctor at the hospital at present.

A large number of people from different corners of the district come to Tamenglong district hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

Many of them cannot afford the expenditures of travelling to Imphal.

It is no easy task to arrange ambulances and send serious patients to Imphal.

It has been quite a long time that the Gynaecology specialist doctor posted at Tamenglong is being utilised at Thoubal.

Even as a fresh order was issued which directed the specialist doctor to go back to Tamenglong, the same order is yet to be complied with, Dr Chambo said.

Moreover, one ENT specialist doctor and a Biochemist posted at Tamenglong district hospital last year have not shown up at the hospital till date.

Meanwhile, another ENT specialist doctor and a Microbiologist have taken maternity leave.

While one General Surgery specialist doctor posted at the hospital has taken leave to pursue super speciality course, one Anaesthetist who was posted at the hospital sometime has been taken back to JNIMS.

As such there is not a single specialist doctor at Tamenglong district hospital, Dr Chambo continued.

At present, the hospital is being run by 10 Medical Officers and this strength is quite inadequate to meet health care requirements of the people of the district.

Nonetheless, surgical outreach camps are being held at regular intervals at Tamenglong district hospital since 2013 in association with specialist doctors and paramedics of JNIMS.

One such surgical outreach programme was held from April 21 to 23 for the 12th time.

Altogether 16 major operations and 15 minor operations were performed during the camp and it benefited a lot to people/patients who cannot afford to travel to Imphal and undergo treatment at Imphal hospitals.

So far, around 300 patients have benefited from these surgical outreach camps, Dr Chambo added.

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