Neglected Shallang PHC seeks Govt attention

NONGSTOIN: The Lyngam Indigenous Federation on Thursday conducted a surprise inspection at Shallang PHC, West Khasi Hills.
The LIF Central Body was led by its President Everpearl Mawsor along with other members.
 During their inspection, they found that the PHC was in an abandoned stage without the support from the Health Department in terms of infrastructure and other facilities.
 They were surprised to see that the PHC was similar to a Sub-centre with no electricity connection or water supply.
 People of the area said that the Shallang PHC was managed by only three doctors and one staff nurse.
Mawsor said that the PHC was built to serve the people of 94 villages but there is lack of infrastructure.
 It was also learnt that during an emergency, they have to rush to a private pharmacist or to Shillong for proper treatment.
When this correspondent made queries to the doctor in-charge of the Hospital, he said that the PHC is having shortage of staff. He added that the PHC has only one lab assistant, one pharmacist and once they take leave, it will be difficult to treat patients.
He further said that the PHC is congested as the rooms are too small to serve the people of 94 villages.
The PHC has only four beds for the patients and very often the patients have to be treated in the verandah.
”People are prone to malaria in Shallang area. We have to conduct medical checkup in different places, and when the staff attend to duties elsewhere, there is no one in PHC to look after the patients” the doctor said.
The PHC had spent more than Rs 10 lakh for water connection, but the water was available only twice after the connection.
The LIF hence decided to meet the District Medical & Health Officer, West Khasi Hills to take up the varied grievances.
 Demand to upgrade sub-health centre
The Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), Marngor Area unit led by the President Peterkin Kharbani and General Secretary Rukky Lyngdoh Peinlang on Thursday met the District Medical and Health Officer West Khasi Hills and demanded up gradation of the present Sub-Health Centre Marngor to a PHC.
The area is 16 kms away from Pariong PHC and also far from Markasa PHC.
This Sub-Centre caters to the needs of the villages of Mawblei,Mawjoin, Mawkham,Pawbeh, Mawkhan- B,Langlew, Lawnamlang, Mawkhan Wahkhweng, Phyllut, Nongdom, Khartein and others.