PHCs of Oinam, Phaibung, Paomata inspected
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, May 29 2021:
A team of Poumai Naga frontal organisations consisting of Poumai Naga Union (PNU), Poumai Students Union (PNTM) and Poumai Naga Women's Union (PNNM) inspected the existing condition of Primary Health Centres (PHC) at Oinam, Phaibung and Paomata.
The team also included volunteers of Poumai Naga Covid Task Force which was recently formed to oversee the entire Covid crisis being faced by Poumai community and to extend support and help to the district administration and medical fraternity.
The inspection was mainly made to oversee preparedness of the healthcare centres in combating the pandemic.
The team also met MO in-charge of Laii PHC, which is being run in collaboration with a government undertaking NGO.
However, the team could not visit Khongdei PHC as the construction of the health institution is underway and villagers had restricted entry to the village due to the pandemic.
At Oinam Hill PHC, doctors informed the team about lack of manpower impeding effective functioning of the health centre which has only three MOs, three nurses, two pharmacists and one male health worker.
Nurses of the PHC were found taking up assignment of grade IV and lab technician.
Local volunteers and ASHA workers reportedly assisted the PHC whenever necessary.
Recently, an ambulance for the PHC was given by the Bengaluru-based NGO Sunbird Trust, Prestige Foundation.
Villagers recently appointed one driver on contract for the ambulance to utilise when necessary for the time being as state government did not sanction the maintenance fund and driver post.
The visiting CSOs suggested the need to upgrade the PHC to CHC in view of huge coverage of population and the need to improve health institution in the area.
On reaching PHC Phaibung, the team found five patient beds but no bedding, no seat, no furniture including chairs and tables.
The PHC was stated to cover seven villages of the area having around 17,000 people.
No ambulance was allotted for the PHC and in case of any emergency, the only available facility is first aid.
The PHC lacks basic amenities and the MO incharge told the team that patients for delivery cases cannot operate well due to absence of facilities and infrastructure.
Lack of proper water supply and toilet in unusable condition made the PHC almost non-functional.
Village chairman lamented the negligence of the department concerned which made him dub the PHC a namesake.
Villagers sought for permanent doctors and staff with necessary equipment for smooth functioning of the PHC.
Addressing media persons, PNU president D Dailord Pao stated that PHC Phaibung is similar to a haunted place with no infrastructure and drew attention of authority concerned to look into the matter at the earliest especially during the current pandemic when the villagers are restricted to go out.
The team also met MO in-charge for PHC Laii who is reportedly stationed at Phaibung PHC as the team could not reach the village due to bad road condition.
The visiting team was satisfied with Paomata PHC though it faced staff shortage.
On query to the staff of the PHC about lack of amenities, the staff mentioned shortage of manpower, need for more oxygen cylinders, baby warmer, child delivery bed, ECG where many were reported to die on the way while referring to Senapati or Imphal for absence of such facilities at the PHC.
The PHC also lacked water supply and power back up.
The old ambulance of the PHC is stated to be not in running condition due to technical failure.
The PNU president on behalf of the team thanked all the doctors of the PHCs whom the people depended for their medical care.
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