IMPHAL June 24: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today inaugurated several new constructions under the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, namely the Integrated AYUSH Hospital, Food Testing Laboratory, State Family Welfare Training Centre and the Medical Directorate New Building.
The 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital located at Lamphelpat, near Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) office complex, which comes under the Directorate of AYUSH was formally inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the presence of Health and Family Welfare and AYUSHminister Phungzathang Tonsing, MLA of Uripok A/C L Nandakuamr, principal secretary Health and Family Welfare Dr J Suresh Babu, director of Health Services, Manipur Dr O Ibomcha and director of
AYUSH Dr K Lokendro, former Minister Dr M Nara also attended the inaugural function.
AYUSH an acronym of Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy have gain popularity. The Integrated AYUSH Hospital was set up by the State government under the Ministry of Health to enhance the health services provided to the public, stated Phungzathang Tonsing.
The Food Testing Laboratory constructed under the funding of the World Bank and the State Family Welfare Training Centre constructed under the funding of National Rural Health Mission (NHM) both located at RD Wing Complex Lamphelpat were also inaugurated by the Chief Minister.
The new Medical Directorate Building inside the Medical Directorate complex, Lamphelpat, was also inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the presence of Health Minister, Chairman of Hill Area Committee, Uripok MLA, Henglep MLA, Singhat MLA, Director of Health Services, AYUSH and other doctors and staffs.
Construction of the new building was funded under Special Plan Assistance of the Planning
Commission and was started in the year 2007 with an estimated cost of about Rs 6 crores by the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation (MTDC), although the total cost at completion amounted to Rs 9 crores.
After an inspection of the construction, the Chief Minister expressed displeasure for using outdated tiles and plywood doors and windows for such an important building.
Speaking at the inaugural function, the Chief Minister said the completion of the various buildings inaugurated today will greatly enhance the service of the State Health Services.
Earlier after inaugurating the Integrated AYUSH Hospital, the Chief Minister had urged all those working in the medical sector to work with sincerity and dedication.
He continued there is a huge backlog of more than 200 post vacancy for doctors from Scheduled Tribes.
Keeping the shortage of doctors in mind, the two month rotational posting system of all specialist doctors was adopted so that the doctors could provide their services even in the remotest of areas, he added.
However, some specialist doctors are not complying with the system, the Chief Minister added in a disappointing note.
He added that the State Government will soon take up steps to upgrade medical facilities in all the districts of the State.
The existing district hospitals will also be upgraded to 100 bedded hospitals. `A cabinet decision has been taken and fund has also been earmarked for this`™ he informed.
In order to address the shortages of specialist doctors which have hampered in providing medical facilities especially to interior parts of our State, the chief minister said, `To increase the specialist doctors from the State, a medical college will soon be set up in the Churachandpur district`