SHILLONG, June 11: Facing flak for his recent statements on the death of a pregnant woman in Dangar Primary health Centre (PHC), Mawsynram legislator HM Shangpliang, on Friday, clarified that his intention was not to demean, look down or find fault with doctors and nurses in the incident even as he maintained that he holds “highest regard” for the medical fraternity.
Recalling the incident, the MLA said that since it was unwise amid the pandemic to enter the PHC building, the whole matter had to be discussed in the open on the premises of the centre.
Shangpliang claimed that that the media arrived after he was halfway into inquiring about the incident. “It was not intended whatsoever to have a medial trial or as alleged a kangaroo court,” he remarked.
“I had never used any intimidating words rather I said we leave it to the authorities of the Health department to enquire into the matter,” he added.
He reasoned that the crowd, which was reportedly agitated, needed to be pacified. “I had to be there between the doctors and the public,” the Mawsynram MLA said.
Shangpliang also stated that he has met Health Minister and deliberated on the lack of infrastructure in Dangar PHC even as he claimed that the road from Mawsynram to Dangar PHC, contrary to what was mentioned, has been repaired and fully black-topped.
With regard to the death of the pregnant nurse, Shangpliang said that the state government has already instituted an inquiry and “the people will come to know the truth”.
Union wants govt to take over Dangar PHC
The Garo Students’ Union (GSU) Dangar Regional unit has petitioned Health Minister AL Hek urging him to scrap the agreement with VHAM, which is running Dangar PHC, and called for the state government to take over the PHC by upgrading it to a Community Health Centre (CHC).
The Union, in the petition, pointed out that the ambulance at the PHC is allegedly in deplorable condition and people are deprived of the service on “lame” pretexts.
It has also asked the government to provide ex gratia to the family of the nurse who died at the PHC during childbirth.
Asked if the government would scrap the deal with VHAM, Hek said that the agreement was signed through a memorandum and tender. “Before we revoke anything, we have to see and examine the MoU,” he said.
“We just cannot blame the doctors and nurses directly. We have to see how hard they are working to ensure safety of people,” Hek said on the row over the death of the pregnant nurse.
