Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has said that the upgrades of the health centre in Khliehriat to a civil hospital has caused substantial “pressure” on the institute and is functioning under various constraints.
Lyngdoh who inspected the hospital yesterday said the manner in which facilities and utilities are provided to the hospital was “unplanned”. “The upgradations from PHC to CHC and now to a hospital have caused substantial pressure on the institution because infrastructures have not been prepared,” she said.
The State government will all fanfare inaugurated the 100-bed hospital in February last year. From lacks of proper medical equipments and infrastructure the hospital is seen as a failure to deliver quality healthcare services to the patients.
This month the hospital had to stop admitting patients due to choked sewage and water pipelines. The Deputy Commissioner had sought for an explanation from the DMHO on the sad affairs of the hospital.
The Health Minister was appreciative of the medical officers and staff working at the hospital and stated, “The DMHO is also functioning as the Medical Superintendent and is working under strain environment and so we can’t blame him.”
She stated the gynaecology and paediatrics unit in the hospital are functioning efficiently. The hospital has been able to contain maternal mortality rate with the help of ASHAs and other health workers, she said, adding, “Now we need to work on paediatrics.”
Lyngdoh further said she has noted all the problems faced by the hospital which will be raised with the Chief Minister and through coordination with the MLAs, district administration and the health workers they will work and ensure that the institute delivers the best medical services to the people of East Jaiñtia Hills district.
