JOWAI: Public and Community Health Centres in rural pockets of the State are in shambles with questions now being raised on the lack of attention by the State government despite tall promises that health care would be accorded top priority in the scheme of things.
People in Jaintia Hills have for long been complaining of absence of doctors in the PHCs and CHCs.
Just last month The Shillong Times had reported about the Shangpung PHC functioning without a doctor. This time, the KSU has complained about the absence of a doctor at Iooksi PHC.
“The Iooksi PHC holds strategic importance since people from the area are unable to reach the Ialong District Civil Hospital in case of any emergency and have to depend on the local Public health Centre and it is very important that the PHC be equipped with a regular doctor,” the KSU emphasized.
In this regard, the KSU Iooksi and Saphai Units lodged a joint complaint with the Director of Health Service recently.
In their complaint, the KSU informed that poor people in the area were suffering as they could not afford to visit Jowai or Shillong for treatment in the absence of a doctor at the PHC.
“All doctors posted in the past failed to perform their duties honestly and were quite irregular. The Government had posted a lady doctor in the PHC but she has been missing for several months now,” the KSU units stated in their complaint.
The KSU demanded immediate appointment of two doctors in the PHC, besides a Health Educator.
The former Health Educator appointed in the PHC has retired and the post has been lying vacant, the Union stated in their complaint. According to the KSU, the PHC covers Khonshnong, Biar, Nongryngkoh, Lakadong, Pohkseh, Saphai, Iawthymme, Umdiengling, Priang and other villages.
