Staff shortage, poor infrastructure plague Heirok CHC

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 14: The People's United Youth Alliance (PUYA) and the Foothills Naga Co-ordination Committee (FNCC) have expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Heirok in Thoubal district, alleging that the healthcare facility is plagued by inadequate infrastructure, shortage of medical personnel and poor waste management.
The two organisations raised the concerns after inspecting the CHC at Heirok Thokchom Leikai as part of its campaign to assess the condition of healthcare facilities in the State.
During the inspection, the team reportedly found that the CHC had failed to maintain proper waste management practices.
Biomedical waste, including used bloodstained cotton and gloves, was found dumped on the western side of the healthcare facility, posing potential health risks to patients and the public.
The inspection team also found that the ETP of the hospital was reportedly non-functional.
A large quantity of expired medicines were found dumped due to the excessive supply of less commonly used medicines and the inadequate supply of commonly used ones.
They also claimed that medicines were found scattered inside the hospital premises.
The team further observed that a building constructed around four to five months ago for a Paediatric  ICU  remained unused despite the need for such a facility.
The labour room was also found to be inadequately equipped to provide adequate maternal healthcare services, including extra care for newborn babies.
Speaking to the media, PUYA general secretary Longjam Abothe said the inspection was conducted following complaints received from seven local clubs of Heirok.
He claimed that the CHC doesn't even have a space for patients’ attendants to sit .
The roof of the CHC is also leaking, he said.
Saying that only six doctors, including the Medical Officer-in-charge, seven staff nurses and three ANM workers are currently posted at the healthcare facility, Abothe added that the CHC has no specialist doctors.
He said that the OPD receives around 50 to 100 patients daily, but the shortage of staff causes inconvenience to patients.
Abothe added that Heirok CHC lacked the facilities required to function as a First Referral Unit (FRU).
Saying that no ultrasound or ECG machines were seen at the CHC, he added that one unused X-ray machine was found lying in a storeroom.
Meanwhile, Sinthangamba Laishram, a member of one of the seven local clubs of Heirok, appealed to the public to collectively examine the condition of the hospital and work towards addressing its shortcomings.
Stating that the CHC is particularly important during times of conflict and other emergencies, he urged the Government to strengthen its infrastructure and ensure the availability of adequate doctors, nurses and other essential medical personnel.