SHILLONG, March 15: The Congress on Tuesday drew the Assembly’s attention to the acute shortage of doctors in the state.
Nongpoh MLA, Mayralborn Syiem said there is a huge shortage of government doctors in various PHCs and CHCs. He sought to know the number of doctors in the state.
Raising a supplementary question during the Question Hour, he enquired how many state-sponsored doctors have returned to the state. He said many do not join service even after appointment.
Health and Family Welfare Minister, James Sangma said he does not have the details and asked for a notice.
Earlier, he had stated that Rs 72.78 crore was spent for the development of PHCs, CHCs, district hospitals and health sub-centres for the 2021-22 fiscal. He said the budget earmarked by the department for 2022-2023 for these health care facilities is Rs 158.86 crore.
On the status of recruitment of nurses as regards the 202 vacancies which the department advertised in October last, Sangma said 4,605 applications were received out of which 28 were rejected. He said 4,465 candidates appeared for the written exam and the results are awaited.
Replying to a query of Syiem on how many PHCs and CHCs will be included in the financial year, the Health Minister said altogether 336 proposals were received, mostly from the members of the House.
He, however, said while the government would want to take up as many as possible, it does not mean all will see the light of the day.
Opposition Chief Whip, George B Lyngdoh requested the Minister to table the 336 proposals in the House.
When Rongara-Siju MLA, Rakkam A Sangma requested the state government to strengthen the Health Engineering wing in Garo Hills region, Sangma said the department has appointed 11 new engineers and the process of strengthening it is on.
Mawphlang MLA, Eugeneson Lyngdoh asked whether state norms are in accordance with the India Public Health Standards (IPHS). After initial confusion, the Health Minister said it is not in sync with the IPHS but there are certain relaxations.
To yet another query on the post of four doctors lying vacant in Mawphlang PHC, Sangma said the vacancies are for specialists and the matter will be examined.
He assured All India Trinamool Congress’ (AITC) Mawsynram MLA, HM Shangpliang that his request for set-up of a PHC in Sawsymper is being examined.
When Jowai MLA, Wailadmiki Shylla asked whether the health centre at Ummulong is a PHC or CHC, Sangma said he requires a notice as he does not remember every PHC and CHC by heart.
To this, Shylla said the PHC was upgraded to CHC in 2001 but till date, only the name has changed while the infrastructure and staff have remained the same. He requested the Health Minister to do the needful as it caters to thousands of people.
Suspended Congress leader, Ampareen Lyngdoh asked for an assurance that the UPHC at Demseiniong is also attended to as it caters to a population of over 18,000.
Replying to the AITC’s Zenith Sangma who enquired about the staffing pattern of a PHC, the Health Minister said the total number of posts is 19.
When Mawlai MLA, PT Sawkmie wanted to know the reason behind doubling the budget this year, Sangma said the answer is apparent with the 336 proposals received.
He said there is a need to strengthen the service in terms of infrastructure and that is why, the government has decided to go forward with the strengthening process.
Sangma also said that the diagnostic centre inaugurated at Pasteur Institute is under public-private partnership mode.
He was responding to North Shillong MLA, Adelbert Nongrum who had sought clarity on it.