SHILLONG: The State Health and Family Welfare department has expressed deep concern over the extended periods of load shedding in the State as the frequent power cuts are affecting the day-to-day functioning of hospitals and health centres across the State.
Most of the hospitals have been hit hard by the extended period of load shedding imposed by MeECL, which now run upto nine hours a day in phases.
Health and Family Welfare Minister AL Hek on Thursday informed that the Surgeon of Civil Hospital, Shillong, in a meeting with the former had apprised him of the difficulties being faced by the hospital due to the ongoing load shedding.
“He told me that they are facing lots of problems but they are managing the services somehow,” Hek said, while adding that the ongoing situation should not be allowed to continue for long and steps needed to be taken to overcome the power crisis.
According to Hek, the hospitals have back-up power systems but these cannot be run for long hours.
Some observers recalled that during a severe power shortage faced by West Bengal in the 1980s, the state government had provided emergency services like hospitals with dedicated lines which were kept free from the purview of power cuts.
“Whom do we blame for lack of power when there is no rain?” Hek asked, even as he added that he would take up the matter with the Government to ensure regular power supply so that hospitals do not face critical problems.
The Department is also contemplating the possibility of installing solar units in hospitals to ensure regular power supply in times of emergency as is being witnessed these days.