MOKOKCHUNG, JANUARY 31 (MExN): The Ao Students' Conference (AKM) has raised an alarm over the critical shortage of medical staff at Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH) in Mokokchung, following a surprise inspection on January 30.
The inspection revealed alarming gaps in medical and paramedical staff, severely affecting the hospital's ability to provide adequate healthcare to the region’s population.
According to AKM, the hospital has resorted to hiring 24 personnel, including ICU nurses, plumbers, electricians, and even traffic police, in an attempt to meet operational demands. Additionally, there are five vacant positions for Lab Technicians, further exacerbating the situation. The shortage of qualified medical professionals has led to a situation where many patients are being forced to seek treatment elsewhere, often at significant personal and financial cost.
The lack of sufficient medical personnel is a violation of the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), which mandate that a 150-bedded district hospital must be adequately staffed, including specialists and support staff, the AKM asserted.
The situation has been worsened by the transfer of four medical specialists from IMDH without replacements, leaving the hospital struggling to provide critical care. Despite multiple appeals to the Department of Health and Family Welfare, only one replacement has been made, which is grossly insufficient.
In light of this situation, the AKM has issued an ultimatum addressed to the Principal Director, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima, demanding immediate replacement of transferred medical specialist and fulfillment of vacancies at IMDH, Mokokchung.
It called for the immediate deployment of new medical specialists or the reinstatement of three specialists who were transferred on July 23, 2024. The AKM has given the Department 30 days to fulfill the demand.
Additionally, the organization called for the appointment of more medical and paramedical staff to fill all vacancies in accordance with IPHS guidelines and an assurance that no further transfers will occur without prior replacements.
The AKM warned that if the issue is not addressed within the given timeframe, it will be forced to initiate mass agitation, demanding the healthcare services that are a basic entitlement for the people of the region. Any further delay would be viewed as an act of negligence, and the Department will be held accountable, it added.
