From Our Correspondent
JOWAI: The health scenario in the entire Jaintia Hills District is very poor and the poorer sections who cannot afford treatment in private clinics and hospital are in distress.
Jaintia Hills has Community Health Centres (CHCs) in each Development Blocks- Nongtalang CHC, Ummulong CHC, Laskein CHC, Khliehriat CHC and Sutnga CHC besides PHCs and Health Sub-Centres.
Some of the PHCs are being operated by NGOs and Trusts while majority of them are still under the State government through the Directorate of Health Service.
Irregularities of doctors, shortage of laboratory technician and paramedical staff are some of the common complaints of the public. The major problems though are non-availability of modern medical equipments.
During the year 2000, the State Health Departments – the DHS-MI (Directorate of Health Service) spent huge amount of money for X-Ray machines but none of the machines are functioning since the date of installation.
As per reports procured through an RTI filed by concerned citizens from Jaintia Hills, the Directorate of Health Service (DHS) has installed three X-Ray machines at Nongtalang CHC, Khliehriat CHC and Sutnga CHC.
Each of these machines were purchased at the cost of Rs. 7, 75, 112 and interestingly all the X-Ray machines failed to function since the date of Installation in 2000.
The RTI reports also revealed that the District Health Department (DM&HO Office) took two years to lodge a complaint and intimate the Directorate Office about the non-functioning of the X-Ray machines. According to the complaint lodged by the District Medical and Health Officer, Jaintia Hills in 2002, all the three X-Ray machines installed at Nongtalang CHC, Khliehriat CHC and Sutnga CHC have remained idle due to non-installation of transformers, non-sanction of Radiographers, Dark Rooms and non-availability of X-Ray accessories including X-Ray Plates, X-Ray Films, Hangers, Badges, Solutions and Solution Drums.
Non-Installation of a transformer at Khliehriat CHC and Sutnga CHC was the main reason for the X-Ray Machines to remain idle since the date of installation. The Government and the DHS has failed to appoint Radiographers and Dark Room Assistants at Sutnga CHC, Khliehriat CHC and Nongtalang CHC.
Despite intimations being made, no proper initiatives were taken by the Directorate of Health Service (DHS-MI) till date. Again in 2010, the same was intimated to the DHS-IM about the non-functioning of all three X-Ray Machines. As per the Report sent from DM&HO Office Jowai to DHS in 2010, reasons for non-functional of X-Ray machines installed in Jaintia Hills was due to shortage of Electric Powers the date of Installation. Non-operational of the Machines due to shortage of Power supply has damaged the machines and the DHS has spent huge amount to repair the machine, yet failed to function as the repair work was done only for X-Ray machines not electricity.
Meanwhile, the Rangbah Shnong of Umkiang village, S Sutnga informed that the Umkiang CHC failed to provide good services to the people in the area. The CHC at Umkiang was handed over to a Trust with only one doctor and few medical staff. Shortage of doctors and medical staff has forced dispensaries such as Ratacherra and Sonapur sub-health centre to shut down.