By IFP Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 8: Health Minister Phiroijam Parijat in an after hours meet with mediapersons post inauguration of a primary health sub centre at Hengbung in Senapati stated that the state government has taken up measures to construct two district hospitals in Imphal East and West. The project will be taken up under the sanction of the ministry of DONER.
A cabinet meeting will be held shortly to arrange for the commencing of the project which will cost at least Rs. 30 crores each, Parijat said. After the inauguration of the PHSC, the minister attended as the chief guest a formal function held at the KVK centre located at Saitu. MLA of the constituency Haohkolet Kipgen was the president and Director of Health Services S.Ibomcha the guest of honour at today’s function.
The minister in his speech stated that the new PHSC will cater to the primary health needs of the populace of Hengbung and nearby areas. Stating that the PHSC is just a simple centre for free first aid, immunization of children upto five years and checking the pregnancy stages of women, he said in case of severe illnesses and diagnostic matters patients should consult with professionals in the district hospitals.
He urged the gathering to form a maintenance committee to maintain the PHSC as it belongs to the public of Hengbung and the state health department will provide Rs. 20,000 annually to replenish any unseen eventuality, and also to ensure proper sanitation around the village to avoid diseases from farm animals. The Minister suggested setting up of a Sanitation committee for which the department will also provide Rs. 10,000 annually to the committee.
Further, Parijat stressed that the state has an acute shortage of health workers including female nurses. To bridge the gap, five Nursing schools will be instituted in the hill districts and the favorable site for building the nursing school will be chosen nearby the district hospitals, he stated. The Centre has given a green signal and the process will start from the last part of the current year.
Mentioning the details of the project, he said that each nursing school will accommodate 40 students and the course will be for three and half years. There will be 13 tutors and each building is estimated to cost Rs. 10 crores. The land for the building can be taken on lease and needs only 2.5 acres of land.
The minister further stated that when recruiting the nurses and other staff for the nursing school, priority would be given to the candidates hailing from the particular district. MLA Haokholet Kipgen expressed thanks to the health minister for setting up the PHSC in a short time and said that the center would be a boon for the nearby residents.
