As many as 32 other patients from Tamenglong district have been referred out to other better health facilities in capital Imphal while three patients died at the district hospital Duigailong Tamenglong due to lack of specialist doctors or alleged negligence of higher authorities since January 1, 2022 till date, hospital sources said.
The sources said that as many as nine specialist doctors were posted in Tamenglong district in the last three-four months on different dates. Ironically, the nine doctors refused to join their duty in Tamenglong district. There are no specialist doctors in Tousem, Tamei and Nungba sub-division as well.
Due to the lack of specialist doctors in the district hospital Tamenglong, patients have been referred to other hospitals with better amenities in Imphal. This has resulted in the deaths of some patients on the road while travelling on the pathetic road condition from Tamenglong to Imphal.
Social worker and MP nominee Akinsin Gangmei expressed that a doctor whose profession is to serve humanity refusing to come and work is highly condemnable and unacceptable. He urged the government to seriously look into the matter and take action against the negligent doctors.
“People of Tamenglong will no longer remain silent in this matter. Although Tamenglong has a big district hospital there are no adequate specialist doctors, no radiographer/X- ray technician, no ECG technician, Ophthalmic assistant, no forensic specialist, no radiologist, no surgeon, no dental surgeon, etc.,” Akinsin Gangmei said.
Due to lack of specialist doctors, including radiologists and psychiatrists or X-ray technicians, even small cases are referred to other better health facilities to save lives despite the poor economical conditions, he added.
When contacted, chief medical officer Tamenglong Dr G Majachunglu informed this correspondent that some doctors posted in Tamenglong refused to come to Tamenglong and join duty.
Lack of proper living quarters for the doctor is a main issue faced by the doctors who have been posted, she added.
She said that the plight of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff are caused by the dilapidated condition of the quarter, and renovation of most of the quarters is urgently needed.
She further informed that Tamenglong district requires one medical superintendent, four medical officers, two general surgeons, one gynecologist, one medicine specialist, one child specialist, one eye specialist, one orthopaedic surgeon, one anesthesia specialist, one skin specialist, one radiologist, one forensic specialist, one psychiatrist, five lab technicians, five ward attendants, 27 staff nurses, two X-ray technicians, grade IV five, one dental surgeon and one matron among others.
Tamenglong district hospital has 100 beds but there is no morgue facility.
