Sekmai CHC, first to get solar power freezer
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 02 2011:
Community Health Centre, Sekmai has become the first Government-run health centre in the State to have solar power freezer system as the Health Minister L Jayantakumar Singh formally inaugurated the facility, today.
Along with the inauguration of the system a refrigerator to store vaccine and other medicines have also become operational with immediate effect.
Cost of installation inclusive of the whole component, reportedly procured from a Kolkata-based company, is put at Rs 2.60 lakhs.
The facility has been installed under the initiative of District Health Mission Society, Imphal West.
In his address as the chief guest, Jayantakumar stated that as a healthy society is the most crucial component in the development of Manipur the SPF Government is according top priority in improving the health care infrastructure.
Conveying that the installation of the solar power freezer had been carried out under the guidance of Ministry of health and Family Welfare and that the machinery was purchased from Dulas Solar International, Kolkata, the Health Minister also informed that efforts are on to provide similar facility to all medical centres in the district headquarters as well as at Kumbi PHC, Sugnu CHC, Kasom Khullen PHC, Somdal PHC, Maram PHC, Kangpokpi CHC, Moreh PHC, Chakpikarong PHC, Tamei PHC, Oinamlong PHC, Sinzawl PHC and Thanlon PHC.
Strongly suggesting that CHC Sekmai personnel be trained for efficient handling of the vital machinery, he also wryly advised doctors and nurses of the Centre against misuse of the facility such as storing food items.
While calling upon the medical personnel to work with cohesion and desiring that the local MLA conduct periodical inspection to ensure round the clock service, the Minister also voiced dissent against instances of doctors asking for transfer in a place of their choice rather than serve in areas where medical attention is most necessary.
Commissioner (Health) V Vumlunmang describing the occasion as a historic event, said that apart from posting of three more doctors at the Centre, construction of the compound wall and ensuring availability of all basic infrastructures would be initiated on priority basis.
Speaking at the occasion Director of Family Welfare Services Dr L Joykumar expressed elation that past experiences of erratic power supply hampering basic health care services would be addressed to a great extent.
He also stated that with the installation of the facility the objective of ensuring quality health care to children would be realised as vaccine for immunization such a polio and measles vaccine, medicines for treatment of tuberculosis, Tetanus vials, Diphtheria would be available at the Centre.
Sekmai AC MLA H Borajao, who was also present recounted that inspite of upgrading of the Sekmai medical centre from PHC to CHC problems still existed in ensuring quality medical care as life saving drugs, particularly vaccine for immunization programme had to be procured from the State capital.
He, however, conceded that the problem would be insignificant in the coming days as installation of the solar power freezer would ensure availability of emergency drugs.
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