Editor,
On December 20, 2011 my sister became seriously ill so we rushed her to the Khliehriat CHC. To my surprise there was no doctor at the CHC between 9.40-10.15 pm. We waited for nearly 30 minutes in the winter chill but still there was no sign of the doctor. We had no option but to rush the patient to a private hospital at Lad-Sutnga. This hospital referred the patient to Bethany Hospital, Shillong. However, before taking the patient to Bethany Hospital, I went to the C.H.C Khliehriat once again at 10.18 pm to enquire whether the doctor who is on night duty had arrived. The doctor came only at 10.20 pm. I asked him why he was late but he refused to answer me. In complete contrast the nurses and doctors at the private hospitals treated the patient with care and concern and provided immediate medical treatment.
As a concerned citizen of this area I request the Health Department to conduct surprise checks to ensure that doctors and nurses perform their duties sincerely. The NGOs of Jaintia Hills too should see that Government doctors do not treat government-run hospitals and CHCs as their private clinics where they can come and leave at any time. CHCs, PHC’s and Sub-Centres are meant for the poor and needy people but if there are no doctors during emergencies then what is the point of having these centres? I also request the Government to provide more doctors at C.H.C Khliehriat for night duties. Finally, I want the doctor who was on night duty on December 20 to clarify why he was absent from his post that night? Was he having his dinner or was he treating some other patient at a private clinic/hospital? I also want a clarification about who were the doctors/doctor on duty that night.
Yours etc.,
Forme Nongtdu
Diengshynrum Village,
Jaintia Hills
II
Editor,
I am no longer amused nor bemused by the eclecticism of our representatives in mundane affairs; actually I am desperate to know what exactly the representatives will be doing (actually I already had a common mental image) over there in South East Asia. I wish I am a billionaire so that I can engage the ‘best of the best’ from the Paparazzi to provide us with visual evidence on the daily activities of our mortal gods who are determined to rob our exchequer in petty ring-a-ring- a- roses. Based on your report, the 15 representatives including a ‘typist’ will be visiting Manila, Hanoi and Bangkok to attend conferences on issues relating to Social Affairs, HIV/AIDS, Population and Development. They will be having a humongous fun welcoming New Year with a Bang! Why I say this is because, judging from past experiences, I don’t think on their return they will bring any concrete evidence that will really uplift our State. If they are serious enough, I think the representatives or the NGO’s, Press etc should set up/organize a press conference/workshop so that the representatives will highlight to the general public what they have learnt and how to go about implementing them. They must not get a free trip.
I also sincerely think that it is high time some eminent people or journalists had a televised “Hard Talk” (in the fashion of the BBC version) with each of the representatives especially the ones who are in the Cabinet having to articulate on various issues relating to development, environment policies etc. I hope I am not asking too much.
Happy New Year MLAs! If you can go on a trip to three countries, please allow me the pleasure to select the New Year Resolution for you; that is, “Walk the Talk”. Please kindly treat this as ‘official’.
Yours etc
U D Tmar,
Via email