In response to the Health department clarification on Imphal Times Report
Source: IT News

Imphal, April 27 2020: Apropos to the Press Release No 22, dated 25.04.2020 issued by te Addl Director (MD) & Spokesperson, Director of Health Services- "The State Health Department would like to rebut a news item published in the Imphal Times on 22nd April under the heading 'Lack of Infrastructures Equipment in District Hospital Tamenglong-a serious concern for denizens' .

The Addl Director listed 5 activities taken by the State Health Departments, of which four refer to the provisions of PPE, mask, hand sanitizer, gloves and jars of Sodium Hypochlorite solutions, Isolation beds and quarantine centre to combat the Covid-19 Pandemic.

However, the press release is silent on the other if not more critical issues of combating the COVID-19 Pandemic like establishing ICU beds with Ventilator in the 100 bedded District Hospital , Ambulances for Transportation of COVID- 19 Patients as per medical protocols which is 150 kms away from JNIMS or RIMS.

The COVID-19 prevention items delivered to the district hospital is not sufficient enough.

It is reported that Doctors are reusing the disposable mask by washing since it is not sufficient to fight the virus for this long.

The last and fifth point of the Press Release refers to the special activities, Surgical Outreach Camps and other various health camps.

It is reported that over 600, operations both minor and major operations have been undertaken in these health camps.

But because of the lack of Blood Banks in the 100 bedded District hospitals, any operations conducted in the Tamenglong District is extremely high risk.

Till date the demand since 2008 to the State Health Department to establish Blood bank in Tamenglong District Hospital has fallen on deaf ear.

Only life saving operation at great risk to the patients because of lack of blood bank are conducted in the 100 bedded Tamenglong District Hospital.

Blood bank is a critical infrastructure for Tamenglong District hospital which is 150 kms away from Imphal.

It is reported that the Surgical Team in the said health campaigns have to bring their own Work Anaesthesia Operator/Anaesthesia work station because of the lack of this critical equipment in the OT of the 100 bedded Tamenglong District Hospital.

The new 100 bedded District Hospital building was inaugurated by the Chief Minister N Biren Singh on the 15th of November, 2017 .

However the upgraded 100 Tamenglong District Hospital continues to face lots of infrastructural challenges, shortage of Doctors, nurses, and paramedics, lack of basic equipment and other basic amenities.

Doctors and nurses and paramedical staffs posted to Tamenglong are seen as a punishment posting.

As against the required post, the State Health Department will give posting order to Doctors and nurses to the District hospital, and the PHCs of the Tousem, Tamei, and Oinamlong, but within a week after lobbying with the Ministers will be transfer out, making a mockery of the attempt to station Doctors and nurses in the hospitals and PHC s of Tamenglong District.

No amount of rebutting by State health officials through press releases will improve the conditions of the 100 bedded District Hospital.

Only a sincere and dedicated action of the State Health Department by providing sufficient doctors, nurses and paramedics with adequate medical equipments and facilities as per the guidelines of Indian public Health standard of 100 bedded hospital for Tamenglong District hospital will address the serious concern for Tamenglong Denizens.

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