From John K Kaping
UKHRUL, Feb. 10: Believe it or not, the 50- bedded and almost three-decade old Ukhrul District Hospital (UDH) functions without power supply in this modern era besides acute lack of the basic medical facilities.
Close on the heel of the public complaints over the deplorable state of affairs there, the Hunphun Katamnao Long, HKL (Ukhrul Students` Union) led by its president Mr. Khamreiso Kasomwoshi along with his executive colleagues took up a spot inquiry and faced the bitter truth.
The fact finding team of HKL was reportedly shocked to find out that the there was no specialist doctors for the position of gyneacology and obs, ortho, paediatric, radiologist, anesthetist and other important departments though the district urgently needs them. Moreover, the matron is absent and vacancy for five nursing sisters, medical record steward, medical record technician and two homeo staff remained unfilled.
Right now, the hospital is functioning with six junior doctors or medical officers (MOs), 14 staff nurses against the actual sanction of 29.
Above all, the most pathetic aspect of the hospital is the irregularity of electricity. As a matter of fact the UDH which theoritically serves 1,80,000 people in the district has a low Horse Power generator as alternative source of power supply.
Forget the fact that it cannot even glow five 100 watts bulbs because the administration cannot use it for more than 2 hours daily due to the non-availibility of kerosene in the market.
After experiencing the running of the hospital, the HKL has lambasted the total deprivation of health service there by the state government.