Patients at Jaintia Hills PHC suffer due to government apathy

JOWAI: The primary health centre (PHC) at Pdeinshakap is a microcosm of the dwindling healthcare infrastructure in the State, especially in rural areas.
The PHC, which cater to more than 38 villages under Satpator Elaka in Amlarem sub-division, has only one MBBS doctor, an ayurvedic doctor and four nurses, two of whom are on contract.
The health centre that sees footfall of hundreds of patients daily, including outdoor patients, has one pharmacist and a laboratory technician to cater to all.
There are two ANMs, one LDA and four grade VI staff.
Besides the skeletal staff, the centre lacks infrastructure to ensure basic comfort of a patient.
The number of beds is less and patients, including children, are often seen sleeping on the floor.
“We have only eight beds which are in good condition and we have to make our patients sleep on the floor and the space is also very small,” a doctor admitted.
“There is no ward for children and evaen the baby warmer is not working properly,” a staff nursed said.
There are other problems too and the staff there said the health centre needs immediate government attention.
“When it rains, there is water all around as the roof leaks,” complained an attendant.
Pdeinshakap Rangbah Shnong Forward Shylla the government was informed about the dilapidated condition but othing has been done so far.
“We have been writing to the Health Department since 2015 for construction of an RCC building but the department has never taken up our complaint,” he said.
Earlier, there were three doctors in the Primary Health Centre, including doctor in-charge H. Synmon, P.L Lamare (Ayush) and M. Toi.
Toi has gone for further studies and the government is yet to fill the vacancy.