Jiribam body highlights healthcare challenges
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 23 2024: Appreciating the inspection visit by an official team of the health services directorate led by the director, to Jiribam, District Hospital Monitoring Committee Jiribam convenor Nongmaithem Sadananda has appealed to the authorities to appoint a diligent and committed Chief'Medical Officer (CMO) for the district.

Addressing the media at the office of Manipur Women's Federation, on Friday, Sadananda highlighted challenges faced by the district, particularly in light of the recent crisis.

He noted that Jiribam, after maintaining peace for over a year, had become the epicentre of the current turmoil.

As a result, the importance of the district hospital, the only government hospital in Jiribam, has become even more evident.

While residents often travel to neighbouring Assam for serious cases, the ongoing crisis has made this journey perilous, especially for the Meetei community, who must pass through a 12-kilome-tre stretch of Kuki settlements, thereby facing serious risk.

In response to these challenges, Sadananda mentioned that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Meira Paibi Lups who visited the district following the escalation of violence acknowledged the dire situation and called for strengthening the district hospital.

However, instead of reinforcing the hospital's capacity, the government transferred three doctors on August 16 without providing replacements.

This action prompted the District Hospital Monitoring Committee to hold a meeting with CSOs on August 18, and issue ultimatum to the government, demanding either the posting of replacement doctors or the withdrawal of the transfer order within three days, while cautioning of intense agitation if their demands were not met.

Amid these developments, the committee, reflecting the concerns of Jiribam's residents, decided to take their grievances to Imphal and reached the state capital on August 19.They met with CSO leaders, the health director, and the minister concerned.

Following a positive response from the authorities, the committee decided to suspend the planned agitation.

As a result, two doctors have been transferred to the Jiribam district hospital, and an official team led by the director of health services visited Jiribam to assess the hospital's condition on Friday.

Despite these positive developments, Sadananda urged the authorities to address the vacant position of CMO as soon as the official team returns to Imphal.

He pointed out that the residents of Jiribam are dissatisfied with the current doctor holding the CMO in-charge position, emphasising the need for a dedicated and committed individual to fill the role.

Sadananda stressed that appointing a capable CMO is crucial for improving healthcare services in the district during these challenging times.

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