Tengnoupal PHCs in tatters
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 04, 2011: Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) has made institutional delivery compulsory for every would-be mothers, there has been no facility for child delivery in any of the health centres under Tengnoupal sub-division of Chandel district even after 60 years of India's independence.

Recognising the need for institutional delivery to reduce mortality rate of mother as well as child during delivery, prevent spread of HIV from parent to child, ensure benefits of Janani Suraksha Yojana to the mothers and other necessary health care for both the child and the mother, the Government of India launched National Rural Health Mission under which special programmes are being implemented.

But all these benefits are still a distant dream for the denizens of Tengnoupal Sub-division.

The total population of Tengnoupal sub-division is 17,545 but it has only one Primary Health Centre and five Primary Health Sub-Centres.

The lone Primary Health Centre is located at the sub-divisional headquarters along National Highway 39.The five Primary Health Sub-Centres are at Sita, Leibi, Ralrum, Suivom and Aimol Tampak villages.

In the absence of child delivery services or facilities in these health institutions, local Maibis (midwives) have been handling all the delivery cases in the sub-division.

In case of complication, would-be mothers have to be brought to Imphal.

The lone Primary Health Centre at the sub-divisional headquarters is reported to have been established in 1968. It was informed that there are only one doctor, one staff nurse under the National Rural Health Mission, one pharmacist, one male health worker, one female health supervisor and one lab-technician in the health centre at present.

However, when The Sangai Express went for a spot inspection today, just one staff could be found and no doctor or nurses.

There is area for labour room in the health centre.

But it is as good as non-existent as there is no equipment required in any labour room.

Six of the beds in the health centre are not fit to be used any more, although three beds are still in serviceable condition.

When contacted on phone, Block Programme Manager, National Rural Health Mission, Tengnoupal Sub-Division, however, asserted that plans are afoot to upgrade the health centre for making it functional round the clock in consideration of the population of the sub-division and its location adjacent to the National Highway 39 apart from being a border area.

In connection with the existing health care facilities in the sub-division, president of Tengnoupal Youth Club Mathew Mate informed that in the absence of any facility for child delivery in the health centre, local Maibis have been handling delivery cases.

He further informed that there is only one bus service from Tengnoupal to Imphal in a day.

So, in case of emergency, one has to spend at least Rs 3000 in hiring vehicle for taking the patient to Imphal.

Mate appealed for upgrading the existing health centre and providing necessary facilities at the earliest possible.

According to the report of National Rural Health Mission, the district-wise institutional delivery cases in Manipur are Imphal East-1718, Imphal West-7840, Thoubal-917, Bishnupur-720, Ukhrul-400, Chandel-242, Churachandpur-1023, Tamenglong-658 and Senapati-508.Thus, Chandel has recorded the lowest among all the districts.

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