Despite having to cater to more than 15,000 people across 16 villages, Umkiang Primary Health Centre lacks a real doctor trained in modern medicine, instead having to rely only on Ayurveda practitioners.
This came to light today after the Assistant Waheh Shnong of Umkiang, which is in East Jaintia Hills, raised the matter with the District Medical and Health Officer and authorities in Shillong, including the Health Minister.
“We will not tolerate the absence of an MBBS (a professional degree in medical science) doctor in the PHC and we demand that one be appointed immediately,” the assistant headman said.
The PHC is deficient in several other areas as well, he added. For instance, it lacks supplies of formalin, which is injected into dead bodies to slow down decomposition, and this forces bereaved families into extra hardships when transporting the bodies of their loved ones to distant villages.
In addition, the PHC has a damaged roof, which leaks water, there are cracks in its walls as well as many broken windows.
“The PHC has not been painted for many years and the patients’ beds in the wardroom are damaged and the mattresses are very old and dirty,” the letter added, while also stating that it is necessary to upgrade the PHC to Community Health Centre, with a commensurate increase in manpower and improvement in facilities.
