IMPHAL, July 6: Opposition MLA and NCP leader L Ibomcha today urged the government to take up measures to check the mushrooming of clinics and further stop monopolizing of health care.
He alleged that the clinics are charging exorbitant amounts to the public which inevitably approaches them to seek expert medical treatment as the Government runs facilities are left wanting in administering heath care. A regulation must be carried out under the Manipur Medical Council Act, he said.
According to norms of the Indian Medical Council, the names of specialist working at the private clinics should be displayed openly.
Ibomcha in his motion stated that the salary of the 1037 NRHM workers is coming down. He alleged that the exact money for them is earmarked but due to creation of additional posts, the salaries have come down.
Supplementing on the motion Trinamool MLA I Ibohalbi said that the facilities at JNIMS are inadequate. “There are no Dialysis facility, ICU and ICCU, pregnant women are still treated at the floors. MACS, Health department and Family Welfare needs to be streamlined and the Manipur Health Service rules need to be rectified”, he added that the need of a separate psychiatric hospital and another for Cancer treatment is the need of the hour.
The MLA also highlighted the issue of drug addiction and that Manipur has become a transit point for smuggling Ephedrine, the main component of making part drugs at Myanmar.
Replying to the motion Health Minister Phungzathang Tonsing said the points raised by the members have been noted for necessary action. He said that the Medical Council of Manipur will come into force and will look into framing of a medical policy.
“We have need for more than 700 doctors, including specialists also for the health sector problems”, the minister stated further that his department is trying its best to provide health care beyond the PHCs and into the interior areas. The menace of drugs will be jointly dealt by the Excise, Home and Social Welfare Department.
Phungzathang also mooted the idea of privatizing hospitals in the hill districts in an experimental manner.