DC asked to probe patients’ plight at Shangpung PHC

JOWAI: The Laskein Block Circle unit of the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM), which has been keeping a close tab on Shangpung PHC, has said the health centre is functioning without doctors and urged the West Jaintia Hills DC to inquire the matter.
The pressure group said patients who come to the centre are treated by the homoeopathy doctor there and the nurses as doctors are absent most of the time. Giving an example of the harassment that patients and their families face regularly, HNAM said, “When family members brought a patient to the PHC on October 7, they had to wait in the corridor till the nurses reached at 11:40 am and the doctor was also not available.’’
The Laskein Block Circle President of the HANM, EJ Law, informed that the people of the area want the PHC to function properly and the doctor posted there to take his job seriously. “He is paid by us and if he does not perform his duty, the government should take stringent action against him.”
The HNAM leaders also urged the West Jaintia Hills DC and the District Health and Medical Officer to conduct a proper inquiry into such negligence by the health officer and the staff at Shangpung PHC.