Health Ministry's recommendation for MS RIMS Director's defiance rattles Assembly
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 03 2014 : The report that the RIMS Director slept over a recommendation letter sent by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for appointment of a regular Medical Superintendent was tabled in the State Assembly letter.

The letter sent by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recommended Prof M Amuba of RIMS Biochemistry Department for the post of Medical Superintendent with due approval of the executive council.

MLA Kh Joykishan today raised a motion in public interest about pending appointment of a regular Medical Superintendent for RIMS in order to ensure transparency in the hospital's administration.

Responding to the motion, Chief Minister O Ibobi assured that the Government would ask RIMS Director Sekharjit to submit a report within a week about his non-compliance with the Health Ministry's recommendation.

A ring side of the main building of RIMS

The matter would apprised to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and necessary action would be initiated based on the report.

The Chief Minister stated that it should be studied first why Prof Amuba was not appointed to the post of Medical Superintendent despite the Ministry's instruction to this effect.

If Prof Amuba was not eligible for the post, then why was he sent to appear in the DPC.

Prof Amuba would have gone for the DPC with due permission of the RIMS authority, stated the Chief Minister adding that all these questions need enquiry.

Although the Chief Minister is the vice-president of the RIMS governing body which is now under Health Ministry, the Chief Minister only attends rare meetings held in connection with the institution's budget.

"I don't get day to day information", Ibobi informed the House.

Remarking that RIMS is a prized asset, the Chief Minister maintained that JNIMS became a reality because of the existence of RIMS.

Even if there are certain problems in the management of RIMS, the institute should have a regular Medical Superintendent.

Asking why a regular Medical Superintendent has not been appointed till date in defiance of the Health Ministry's recommendation, Ibobi asserted that the State Assembly may adopt a resolution in this regard and send it to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Raising the motion, Joykishan noted that RIMS has been functioning without a Medical Superintendent for the past three years.

DPC for appointment of a regular Medical Superintendent was held on December 24 last year.

One major factor for RIMS authority to sleep over the Ministry's recommendation is there would be no teacher in Biochemistry Department if Prof Amuba has been appointed as Medical Superintendent.

In place of Prof Amuba, Dr Lekhachandra has been appointed as Medica Superintendent in-charge, Joykishan stated on the floor of the House.

Taking part in the discussion, Dr I Ibohalbi stated that it would be wrong on the part of the State Government to keep quiet on such serious issue confronting RIMS even if the institution is beyond its purview.

RIMS is like a gold mine for Director Sekharjit.

Questioning why Director Sekharjit has been defying the Government of India's order, Dr Ibohalbi proposed that the House may adopt a resolution on the matter and send it to the Health Ministry.

Dr Ng Bijoy said that RIMS was the most preferred health institute for the people for Manipur but these days Shija Hospital has replaced its position.

This is a clear indication that the health care system of RIMS has degenerated.

As RIMS has been brought under Healthy Ministry, it should follow the guidelines and instructions of the Ministry but the present Director has been running the institution at his whim.

Dr Ng Bijoy too proposed the House to adopt a resolution on the matter and send it to the Ministry.