Hek promises 24×7 drugs store, canteen at Shillong Civil Hospital
SHILLONG: The Health department is planning to set up a 24-hour drugs store and a canteen on the Civil Hospital premises to cater to the needs of both patients and attendants.
In response to a motion moved by Titosstarwell Chyne (UDP) on various deficiencies in the health care system in Civil Hospital and elsewhere in the State, Health Minister A.L. Hek said that the department has planned to start a canteen at Shillong Civil Hospital and the matter is now pending with the Finance department awaiting sanction. “Similarly, the Government is also planning to set up a 24×7 drugs store,” Hek added.
Earlier, moving the motion on the functioning of the Health and Family Welfare department and lack of proper health facilities and infrastructure in the State, Chyne said several cases of deaths were reported in PHCs and CHCs in the State due to the lack of health facilities.
He also highlighted the lack of facilities in the Shillong Civil Hospital including the absence of a blood bank and modern laboratory, among others.
Chyne also pointed out that in the absence of a proper canteen in Shillong Civil Hospital, patients as well as attendants were compelled to take food from the stalls put up on the footpaths adjacent to the Civil Hospital. While stating that many of the government-run PHCs have not been functioning well, the UDP legislator pointed out that PHCs should be constructed in areas where there is adequate water supply, electricity and other infrastructure facilities and not in jungles.
He also pointed out the plight of cancer patients in Shillong Civil Hospital and said that the cancer wing is yet to be completed due to which the mobile cancer unit is lying idle at the hospital. Chyne wanted the Government to frame a health policy and form the State Medical Council even as he inquired about the status of Health Advisory Council.
Taking part in the discussion, John Leslee Sangma (Independent) highlighted the lack of facilities in the Tura Civil Hospital including the absence of CT scan and others.
He also pointed out that the medical guest house in Shillong which was meant for providing accommodation to doctors coming from outside Shillong was being used to store medicines.
In his reply, the Health Minister asserted that all the points raised by the legislators would be examined by the Government.