IMPHAL, March 3: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has assured the assembly on Monday that if the issue of anomaly in appointing the medical superintendent as alleged by some members of the state legislature is genuine than the problem would be solved in a timely manner.
The government has also asked the House to give some days to enquire about the incident so that it can press the concerned ministry of the central government for addressing the issue.
The House also unanimously conceded to the CM’s suggestion. Opposition leader Dr L Ibohalbi had proposed earlier to take a resolution to apprise the concerned ministry of the central government about the facts pressing for redressing the anomaly at the earliest.
“The appointment of the Medical Superintendent of the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) recently took me by surprise. The job of a medical superintendant in a hospital is vital. I realised it only when I became the chairman of the Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS).”
This was stated by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi while responding to a question raised by Thangmeiband MLA Kh Joykishan under Rule No. 127 of rules of procedure and conduct of business on the appointment of a regular medical superintendant of RIMS at the earliest for its smooth functioning.
Responding to the calling attention motion, the CM said RIMS was initially funded by NEC but now maintained by central government under its ministry of health.
As the CM of the state, I am the vice-chairman of the governing body of the hospital but most of its meetings are held in Delhi. I take part only on those meetings related with its budget. It seems to me that the governing body tends to forget about inviting me in their meetings, he added.
Taking part in the discussion, Khurai legislator Dr. Ng Bijoy who was the director of RIMS for many years said: “The medical treatment provided at RIMS is unsatisfactory so patients preferred Shija Hospital. The director of the institute takes immense interest in its academic performance. Likewise, an MS takes an important role in providing quality medical treatment. However, the absence of an appointment of an MS on a regular basis for many years has caused major hurdles.”
Informing the house of the announcement of the result of the direct post creation (DPC) of appointing the MS and subsequent anomalies in its appointment, MLA Joykishan said: “Dr. Amuba of the Bio-chemistry department was appointed by the DPC board. It recommended sending the appointment order to him and a copy of the same to the union ministry of health. However, the RIMS director citing the reason that Dr Amuba’s occupying the post of MS would affect the Bio-chemistry department appointed Dr Lekhachandra instead by issuing an impromptu order.”
He further importuned all the members present to not remain silent on the issue.