Imphal, March 26: In stark contrast to the target set by the Central Government to ensure health care facilities to all the villages of the country by 2012, Phungyar Block in Ukhrul district remains without a single primary health centre after the lone PHC building collapsed on its own some time back.

To ensure health care facilities all over the country by 2012 is the primary objective of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) launched by the Central Government.

Even though it goes without saying that construction of health centre buildings is one of the basic prerequisite for successful implementation of the NRHM, there is no building for the lone Primary Health Centre of Phungyar Block.

Following the collapse of the PHC building located in Phungyar Block which is about 90 kms from Imphal, the PHC is being run at the private residence of one Huimi Tangkhul since January this year.

Interacting with The Sangai Express, the local villagers informed that the broken down Phungyar PHC building was standing there since 40 years back.

Some parts of the wooden building started caving in as its components were worn out with time.

Following the break down and considering the risk posed by the dilapidated building, the whole structure was demolished by the villagers last year.

Stating that the private residence of Huimi Tangkhul has been serving as the PHC of the entire Phungyar Block, the villagers wondered for how long the private residence would serve as their health centre.

They also decried that no concrete step could be observed to build the collapsed building anew till date.

Two doctors, two nurses and a malaria supervisor are being posted in the PHC.

On being asked whether the doctors and staff attend the centre regularly, they said that, "As we don't have the advantage to get medical treatment in the PHC, the villagers often faced untold miseries to take patients up to Ukhrul district hospital or Imphal".

During a visit to the residence of Huimi Tangkhul by this reporter, only the two nurses and no doctors could be seen.

It was said that the doctors were on leave.

Moreover, there was no equipment required in a Primary Health Centre.

Only two chairs, one table and some posters published by the Health and Family Welfare Department and MACS could be seen there.

According to the nurses posted there, at least two/three women delivered babies in the PHC in a month.

In complicated cases, the patients (pregnant women) are referred to hospitals located in Imphal.

Another villager observed that hill areas of Manipur have been left out from the Health for All mission launched by the Central Government under its 20 Point Programme.

The villagers also urged upon the authorities concerned to ensure timely immunisation of the children of Phungyar Block and to construct a new building for Phungyar PHC.

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