Absent doctors mar Yairipok CHC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 23 2026: How many patients can a single doctor attend to in a day, and why do so many people have little faith in Government hospitals ?, A serious concern has emerged over the functioning of the Community Health Centre (CHC), Yairipok, as a majority of the doctors were found absent.

As part of its inspection drive at Government hospitals, the People United Youth Alliance (PUYA), accompanied by media persons, inspected the CHC, Yairipok, which functions under the Chief Medical Officer, Thoubal.

During the inspection, the health centre was found to be facing multiple irregularities, including only one doctor present out of 12 sanctioned posts.

Moreover, technicians were found absent, the ECG room remained closed, and there was inadequate provision of bed sheets and pillows for ward beds, along with an improperly functioning ambulance service.

Speaking to the media, PUYA general secretary Longjam Abothe said it was disheartening to see the condition of the CHC, which is meant to provide healthcare services to the people, especially those from the surrounding areas.

Saying that he witnessed a large number of people visiting the health centre, he added that only one orthopaedic doctor, however, was found on duty during the inspection.

According to the hospital staff, two doctors had gone for training, he said, adding that all nine remaining doctors, however, were also found absent.

The Medical Officer in charge, on the other hand, was in a meeting with the DC, according to the staff, he said.

During verification of the doctors' attendance register, he said the doctors were found to be regularly absent.

Claiming that they witnessed one caretaker signing in advance up to June 26, he questioned why the Chief Medical Officer, Thoubal, is allowing the CHC, Yairipok to function in such a manner.

Abothe also claimed that they found evidence of technicians not being punctual, such as the darkroom having cobwebs and the ECG room being closed, among other irregularities.

Patients at the health centre who require X-ray examinations are forced to spend large sums of money at private clinics, he said, adding that the non-availability of ultrasound facilities at the CHC also poses serious difficulties for pregnant women and others who need such services.

Stating that a majority of people in Manipur are not well-off and face great difficulties when seeking treatment for illnesses, he said that such problems could be largely resolved if Government health centres and hospitals function properly.

The Government must understand why many people are willing to sell their properties just to receive treatment at private hospitals, he said, urging the Health Directorate and the CMO, Thoubal, to ensure that the sanctioned doctors, nurses, and technicians of the CHC, Yairipok attend to their duties properly.

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