Case of Feb having 31 days surfaces yet again
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 04 2026: The curious case of February month having more than 28 days, except during a leap year, has surfaced once again in a healthcare institute where the attendance sheet has been found signed upto February 31 .

February has 28 days, except during a leap year when it has 29 .

Some doctors and nurses signing the attendance sheet upto February 31 was found at the Wangoi Community Health Centre (CHC) today during an inspection conducted by the People's United Youth Alliance (PUYA) .

Earlier, staff at Awang Sekmai CHC were also found signing the attendance sheet upto February 30/31 .

Briefing media persons on the inspection today, PUYA spokesperson Oinam Nikarson said the signing of the attendance sheet upto February 31 has highlighted a serious case of proxy attendance which must be investigated.

The discovery has exposed gross negligence and dereliction of duties by the staff of the centre including the doctors and nurses, he said.

"This case has clearly revealed that some of the doctors, nurses and other staff of the centre care only about their salary and not their duties.

The department and authorities concerned must take immediate action and check such unprofessional conducts to improve the healthcare sector," Nikarson said.

He also stressed that the Wangoi CHC also has no adequate manpower.

The CHC has four Medical Officers, nine Nurses-- which are below the required numbers, he added.

While the community health centre has ECG, X-ray and ultrasound ma- chines, these facilities are provided only on select days inconveniencing those seeking affordable diagnostics, Nikarson said.

The Health Directorate must look into the case of 'proxy attendance' and also address the shortage of manpower, infrastructure and streamline the functioning of the CHC, he added.

Today, the members of the People's United Youth Alliance (PUYA) also inspected several other healthcare centres including the Samurou PHC, Mayang Imphal PHC in Imphal West and Kakching district's Hiyanglam PHC.

At the Samurou Primary Health Centre, PUYA members found only one doctor (out of 7) in attendance.

The members found no official schedule or roster for 3 Staff Nurses and 4 ANMs.

The PUYA members also found an ambulance of the PHC lying idle due to faulty battery and without any driver appointed.

Due to shortage of staff, a Nurse was found issuing OPD tickets to patients.

At the Hiyanglam PHC, the PUYA members found no adequate doctors and staff.

The inspection team also found one "proxy staff" and no proper register for attendance.

Nikarson said PUYA's inspection since the last few days has exposed worrying trends of doctors and nurses ignoring their duties, cases of proxy attendance and hiring of proxy staff.

Such unprofessional practices and trends, if not stopped and checked at the earliest, may kill the public healthcare sector, Nikarson said.

PUYA will continue the inspection, and expose the actual conditions of public health institutions.

The Government and the Directorate of Health must take immediate corrective measures, he said.

Further, Nikarson said PUYA has come across cases where health centres are being supplied medicines which are nearing the expiry dates.

The firms concerned must stop supply of such medicines immediately in the interest of the public, he added.

Fun-fact: Why February has only 28 days Because Romans believed even numbers to be unlucky, each month had an odd number of days, which alternated between 29 and 31 .

But, in order to reach 355 days, one month had to be an even number.

And, February was chosen to be the unlucky month with 28 days.

Later, the Julian calendar added a little more than 10 days to each year, making each month either 30 or 31 days long, except for February.

To account for the entire 365.25 day-long year, one day was added to February every four years, now known as a "leap year." During most years, this leaves February with just 28 days.

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