IMPHAL, February 22: The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and other five private hospitals of Manipur have signed an agreement to give concessions in treatment to bona-fide members of AMWJU.
This was stated by AMWJU president Shyamjai Wangkhemcha in a press meet at the Manipur Press Club while also announcing the decision of JN Pharmacy Association, Porompat to provide a 15 percent concession on medicines to bona-fide members of the union.
“AMWJU has submitted written notes to various government and private hospitals. Private hospitals such as Raj Polyclinic, Shija Hospital, Sky Hospital, Babina Diagnosis Centres located in Porompat and RIMS road, and Mother and Child Care at Sagolband have agreed to give concession to AMWJU members and their families while undergoing treatment at these hospitals. Babina Diagnosis Centre gives 25 % concession to members of the union as of now. One of our members was availed this benefits recently,” he said, adding that only a few hospitals have given green signal to our proposal for helping journalists so far.
Expressing his optimism that all hospitals will help the journalistic fraternity soon, he said that AMJWU was also striving for constituting a Press Academy in the state which the state government has approved.
“Recently, the JN Hospital Pharmacy Association has submitted a proposal to AMWJU for offering medical assistance to journalists who are serving for the sake of the public. The association will meet 15% of the total amount of the medicines for members of the union.”
N Jagajit, general secretary of JN Hospital Pharmacy Association said the association after considering the services of the journalist has decided to extend some help to journalists of the state.
Denying allegations on the association that it is selling medicines at an exorbitant rate and taking advantage from patients by providing salesmen inside the hospital and fleecing them by charging more, he said that in reality it is working for the patients coming for treatment in the hospital.
We don’t gain by selling medicines as it will be against public interest. Our representatives inside the hospital are for making it more convenient for those tending the patients, he added.
Later, the AMWJU president expressed gratitude to the association for providing medical kits to the AMWJU sport team which played the opening match of the Xenon cup and Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly, Th Lokeshore for providing 30 tracksuits for AMWJU players.
He also expressed gratitude to the Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur Gaikhangam for his support to journalists and making it a historic moment by revealing the significance of journalist to the security forces. He was referring to the incident on February 10 when senior reporter A Chaoba of IFP was assaulted and about the incident some days later when two gun shots were fired at his gate which resulted in the accused personal being produced in Court. However, the accused has been released on bail.
Meanwhile, an AMJWU official has stated that after the Supreme Court directive to implement the recommendations of the Majithia wage board for the welfare of journalists, it has been urged from some quarters to implement it the state regarding which a discussion was held with representatives of the journalistic union officials and the government.
The official also revealed that a written proposal was delivered to various private school authorities for granting concessions to the wards of the members in school admission and tuition fees.