Imphal West scores 2nd in HDI
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 31 2015 :
Imphal West district stands second in the Health Development Index in the the whole country as per the latest data provided by the National Sample Survey Off-ice, said State Health Services Director Dr Okram Ibomcha.
Addressing a press conference held at his Lamphelpat office, Dr Ibomcha, who is also the Director of State Health Mission said that the index is calculated taking into account the rate of women's marriage after attaining 18 years of age, receipt of post natal care within 48 hours of child birth, use of contraception, awareness on HIV/AIDS and immunization of the last two children of a couple.
Dr Ibomcha added that efforts are being made to achieve similar feats for other districts of the State as well.
He also said that in the next two/three years, Manipur would have enough doctors to fulfil the World Health Organization guideline of one doctor for every 1000 people.
As of now, the State has one doctor for 1100 people, he added.
Altogether, there are 2429 allopathy doctors and 540 Ayush doctors in the State, he said.
He also informed that there is one nurse for every 260 people in Manipur, which is quite a good figure.
India has one nurse for 2450 population, he added.
This is one of the reasons why Manipur has scored best in Infant Mortality Rate, he added.
Dr Ibomcha said that the State Health Society is expanding its health care faci- lities in trauma, cancer, diabetes, iodine deficiency, malaria, TB etc.
He continued that the State Cabinet has already approved to introduce tertiary health care service for which a new hospital would be set up at Imphal.
The Director also urged village chiefs, public, and civil society organizations to co-operate with the doctors who have been recently posted at different areas.
He also urged the doctors to be dutiful and committed in their service towards good health care in the State.
He said that there is need to propose the Government to earmark required funds for the construction of quarters for doctors and medical staff and providing water and power supplies.
Dr Ibomcha also said that he is putting in effort to convert all the PHCs and CHCs as 24/7 child delivery centres.