SHILLONG: Questioning the preparedness of the state’s health department in tackling ‘epidemic diseases’, Opposition on Tuesday cornered Health Minister A L Hek for pathetic condition of health centres particularly those in sub-urban areas.
Moving a cut motion, NPP legislator James K Sangma said that the Health and Family Welfare department was not ready to meet any emergency situation which might arise due to outbreak of any deadly disease.
He observed that the State was fortunate and that it is yet to experience the outbreak of deadly diseases like H1N1, Avian flu, Ebola, etc.
Referring to the present health scenario in rural areas, he said, “The sub health centers in the rural areas are just mere buildings. There is a problem of shortage of medicines. The department will have to reassess the services rendered through these sub-centers”.
The NPP legislator said that majority of the people prefer to go to the traditional medical practitioners rather than to these sub centres.
According to Sangma, the Government is focusing more on civil hospitals at the district headquarters. “Time has come to shift focus to rural areas,” he said.
In reply, the Health and Family Welfare Minister admitted that revamping of the health sector was the biggest challenge the department was facing.
While denying that there is shortage of medicines in the health centers, he informed that the department was taking steps to improve the health facilities in the sub centres.
