Gives health department one month to take remedial measures
Shamator, May 31 (MExN): The Shamator Town Public Forum (STPF) has urged the Principal Director, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland to take cognisant of issues faced by the Community Health Centre (CHC) Shamator and take remedial measures within one month.
In an open representation, the forum urged the department cognisant of the issues faced by the people and take necessary remedial measures within a period of one month failing which, the citizens will be compelled to seek justice through various platforms.
Among others, the measures included inauguration of newly-constructed CHC Shamator Building and facilitate its occupation.
Further, the STPF also called for deployment of adequate number of workforce Personnel as per the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms for CHC.
According to the forum, the Block Public Health Unit, in compliance with IPHS norms, should be comprised of a Block Medical Officer/Medical Superintendent, a Public Health Specialist, one General Surgeon, one Surgeon, one Obstetrician & Gynecologist, one Pediatrician, one General Duty Medical Officer, one Ayush Medical Officer, five staff Nurses, seven Para Medical workers, six Administrative Staff, and eight Group D Staff.
The forum also demanded provision of adequate and essential Surgical Instruments/Equipments as per the IPHS norms for CHC.
These included Standard Surgical Sets; IUD Insertion Kit; Normal Delivery Kit; Equipment for Anesthesia, Neo-natal Resuscitation and Operation Theatre; Material Kit for Blood Transfusion; X-Ray Machine and Ultra Sound.
Justifying its demand, the representation from STPF President Kiumehean and Secretary Yimso informed that the CHC Shamator was upgraded from Primary Health Centre (PHC) on May 7, 2014 primarily as a referral centre for patients from the neighboring Health Centres requiring specialised health care-services.
However, the successive government's neglect of CHC Shamator has deprived the citizens of the district of their rightful medical care and amenities, it said.
Despite repeated appeals from various civil society organisations urging the authorities to address the issue by deploying an adequate workforce and providing necessary facilities and equipment, the CHC continues to operate with minimal manpower and inadequate equipment, the STPF added.
Consequently, it emphasised that the continuous discrimination and injustice inflicted upon the citizens have placed their lives and the constitutionally guaranteed "Right to Life" under severe threat.
