Health minister reminds doctors of their responsibilities
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, February 07 2023: Health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan Singh has stated that the importance of oral health and hygiene should be inculcated from grassroots level, mainly among school-going children.

He made the statement while speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function of a "Refreshers' Training Programme for MHS Dental Surgeons", held at the banquet hall of Hotel Classic Grande, here, on Tuesday.

The capacity building programme of MHS Dental Surgeons was organised under National Oral Health Programme (NOHP) by State Health Society NHM Manipur.

The minister said that as far as the importance of oral health is concerned, the responsibility of dental surgeons is increasing day by day.

Expansion of oral health has increased even in terms of cosmetics, he noted, while observing that the habit of chewing paan in the state, irrespective of gender, has increased.

Stressing on the importance of inculcating a sense of ownership in any set up, Dr Ranjan said that government employees need to take care of the infrastructures/machines as their own properties, he continued that for smooth functioning of district hospitals, action will be taken up against the negligent employees.

Requesting the doctors to remain/ stay at their place of posting as far and as long as possible, he added that the department is trying to set up a software-based log-in to enable work-related complaints to reach the authorities concerned so as to ensure timely action.

The health minister then appealed to all the doctors to make sure that the services reach the grassroots level as we are all here for the service of the people.

He further appealed to the doctors to work for the people and for the state as a whole and make their specialisation helpful for all the people.

Addressing the gathering as the functional president, additional chief secretary (Health & FW) Vumlunmang Vualnam said that although there may be shortages in the department, doctors/dental surgeons ought to strive for providing the best services to the public.

He appealed to the dental surgeons, wherever posted, to put up sign boards showing time slots and the amount of fees to be paid by the patient party for a better service.

Vumlunmang Vualnam further appealed the doctors to generate awareness about oral hygiene through Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) in addition Information, Education & Communication (TEC) campaign.

When the importance of maintaining proper dental health is promoted through various medium like local print and electronic media, doctors and dental surgeons should be available in the respective place of posting to reach out to the people, as only then can success be brought about, he added.

The inaugural function was also attended by Health Services director Dr Sasheekumar Mangang and SHS Manipur state mission director Dr Somorjit Ningombam as guests of honour.

Endodontics & MHS Dental surgeon Dr Kangjam Gunadhar and Dental College RIMS Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology associate professor Dr Koijam Sasmkumar Singh attended the technical session as resource persons.

Dental joint director Dr K Rita Gangte, senior doctors and dental surgeons posted at different District Hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) took part in the in-service training programme.

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