Imphal: Residents from Meitei, Pangal, and Kabui communities are ramping up pressure on the government over the failing Wangoi Community Health Centre. The facility serves patients across four districts, yet it suffers from a severe lack of medical staff. Locals have launched a social boycott against MLA and Minister Khuraijam Loken after authorities ignored repeated warnings.
Longjam Achouba, president of the Young Development Union Club, represents five local organizations leading the movement. He spoke during a media interaction to detail their failed attempts at diplomacy. The group held a press conference on August 28 to demand action by September 30. They sent a formal memorandum and a reminder to the Chief Medical Officer of Imphal West and the Director of Health Services on September 23, but nothing changed. "The crisis had been repeatedly brought to the attention of the authorities," Achouba stated.
Police blocked a rally headed for the minister's home, prompting the organizers to announce their boycott. Protesters deny any political motive behind the unrest. They demand better care. Currently, only two of the ten doctors posted at the center are specialists. The staff list includes two dental doctors, two AYUSH doctors, one microbiologist, one dermatologist, one gynaecologist, and one Medical Officer.
The organizations want the state to hire eight more personnel immediately. Their list of needs includes Medical Officers, a specialist paediatrician, a specialist surgeon, senior Medical Officers, a medicine specialist, and an ophthalmologist. The residents maintain that their agitation will continue until the hospital gets the doctors it needs.
Comments