Chief Minister on inauguration spree Health services receive a fillip with new buildings
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 24 2015 : A 'red letter' day for the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, as the new Medical Directorate building, Integrated AYUSH Hospital, Food Testing Laboratory and State Family Welfare Training Centre were inaugurated by Chief Minister O Ibobi today.

50-bedded integrated AYUSH Hospital which comes under the Directorate of AYUSH, Government of Manipur located at Lamphelpat, near Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) office complex was formally inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the presence of Health and Family Welfare and AYUSH Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, MLA of Uripok A/C L Nandakumar, Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Dr J Suresh Babu, Director of Health Services, Manipur Dr O Ibomcha and Director of AYUSH Dr K Lokendro.

AYUSH an acronym for Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy has become an integral part of human life with the changing environment.

Taking cognizance of its importance, a separate AYUSH Directorate was set up by the State Government last year.

Chief Minister inaugurating AYUSH hospital :: Pix - DIPR

To ensure its proper functioning, the integrated AYUSH Hospital was set up by the State Government under the initiative of the Government of India, stated Phungzathang Tonsing.

The Food Testing Laboratory constructed under funding of the World Bank and the State Family Welfare Training Centre constructed with funding from National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) both located at RD Wing Complex, Lamphelpat was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

The new building of the Medical Directorate situated at Lamphelpat, was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the presence of Health Minister, Chairman of Hill Area Committee, MLA of Uripok A/C, Henglep A/C, Singhat A/C and Directors of Health Services, AYUSH and other officials and medical practitioners.

At the function, the Chief Minister stated that the Directorate of Health Services is an important one as it is concerned with health related activities.

He added that with the inauguration of the building, Health Services can function without any disturbances.

Further he said that the construction work was severely hampered by certain UG groups and it slowed down the pace of construction, but now it is complete and people will surely receive its service.

Started in 2007-08 with an estimated cost of about Rs 6 crore by the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation (MTDC), the construction was completed at the cost of nearly Rs 9 crore.

After inspecting the structure, the Chief Minister showed his displeasure over the usage of outdated tiles and plywood doors and windows for such an important building.

Stating the importance of AYUSH in today's world, the Chief Minister said that with the inauguration of an integrated AYUSH hospital, people can now avail its benefits.

He urged all the people working in the medical sector to work sincerely and with wholehearted dedication and to treat patients with love, care and kindness.

Showing his annoyance with doctors who apparently refused to follow the directions of the State Government to go to remote places on rotational basis, the CM said that the State Government cannot watch the people suffer any longer.

He added that the State Government will soon take up steps to provide medical facilities in every part of the State.

As a part of it all the district hospitals in the State will soon be upgraded to a 100-bedded hospital as nothing can be compromised on health sector, added the Chief Minister.

Shortages of specialist doctors have hampered the efforts to extend medical facilities to remote parts of the State, he asserted.

"To bring out more specialist doctors from the State, a medical college will soon be set up in Churachandpur district," added O Ibobi.

He also added that a Ram Krishna Mission School will soon be set up in the State to provide quality education which can also give spiritual values to the younger generation.

Later, he urged all the people working in various departments to dedicate themselves to their profession and work sincerely.