IMPHAL, November 2: Breaking the silence over closure of pong road the JNIMS director, Dr L Deven, said that the decision to close the road was taken by Medical Council of India (MCI) as per the standard procedure or requirement of the MCI.
The JNIMS Director gave this clarification during a press conference convened at the administrative block of the institute today.
He further explained that as per minimum standard requirements schedule of a medical Institute or medical college under the Medical Council of India (MCI), shall he housed in a unitary campus near its teaching hospital having room for future expansion, as such road passing through the campus was discontinued, added the JNIMS Director.
Dr L Deven also revealed that in connection with the present issue of closure of Pong road, five representatives of JAC formed against the road closure had submitted a memorandum to MCI Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Service through him (Director) on October 29.
The memorandum has mentioned to reopen the Pong road which passes through the campus of JNIMS in public interest.
Similarly, another memorandum was also received from All None Regular Employees Association (ANREA) demanding to bring an amicable settlement with the JAC, continued Dr L Deven.
He illuminated that opening of the Pong road has only drawbacks to the Institute rather than gain.
The closure of Pong road will bring significant improvement to JNIMS as it provide a secure Academic atmosphere of MBBS and PG students, secure moral values and disciplines of patient parties and staffs relation, held the JNIMS Director.
Moreover, it will help maintain the surrounding need and clean, minimize lost of properties of JNIMS, public and Patients parties and minimized disturbance degrading the ethic of the doctor under the influence of outsiders, pharmacists, brokers and medicine sales man breaking the prohibition and restriction against them affecting the relationship of co-operation of lowers staffs with Doctors, further elaborated the Director.
Meanwhile, JNIMS spokesperson, Prof Y Mohen, strongly reacting to the recent incident of restricting patients from entering the JNIMS by the JAC, termed the incident an unfortunate one.
He said that even in war time Hospital and individuals who needs medical attention are give free passes by any army.
Prof Y Mohen further described JNIMS Director as `down to earth person`™ citing his personal initiative taken to arrange a meeting for the JAC to meet the Chief Minister in the initial stage of the JAC`™s agitation.
The JAC should by now realised that the issues lies with the Ministry, he said adding that even the Chief Minister had clearly responded that the JNIMS is not State`™s property.
He suggested that it is high to discuss on alternative route for residents surrounding the JNIMS.
Given the facts, he appealed the JAC to withdraw its protest (closure of JNIMS`™s main gate) causing hardship for who needs immediate medical attention.