Student bodies urge immediate deployment of doctors to Pungro and Longkhim-Chare, warning shortages are disrupting healthcare services
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DIMAPUR — Separate appeals by two student organisations have exposed a severe shortage of doctors in Pungro and the Longkhim-Chare areas, with the groups urging the Health and Family Welfare department to immediately deploy medical officers to understaffed health facilities and warning that the situation is affecting healthcare delivery in the region.
The Pungro Town Students' Union (PTSU) has appealed to the chief medical officer of Kiphire to immediately post additional medical officers to the Community Health Centre (CHC), Pungro, citing an acute shortage of doctors.
In a representation, the union stated that Senior Medical Officer Dr. Kedusato Kotsu is on 90 days' leave, while Medical Officer Dr. Kawoto has been transferred to the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Moya Village.
It also claimed that Dr. Kisheka, who was attached to Nagaland House, New Delhi, had left CHC Pungro without a release order, leaving Dr. Sikukhiumew Torechu as the lone medical officer managing the institution.
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The union reasoned that a single doctor cannot be expected to handle both medical and administrative responsibilities of the health centre, considering the large population under its jurisdiction.
It urged the authorities to deploy adequate medical officers at the earliest to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
Meanwhile, the United Sangtam Students' Conference (USSC) has expressed dissatisfaction with the Health department's response regarding the deployment of medical personnel under Longkhim-Chare area and reiterated its demand for full staffing of healthcare institutions in the region.
Responding to a communication issued by the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, the conference stated that the department's explanation was "highly unsatisfactory" and insisted that the five PHCs under Longkhim and Chare, along with CHC Longkhim, should be staffed to their full sanctioned strength.
The USSC also questioned the transfer of doctors from the Longkhim-Chare area without immediate replacements, arguing that the department's plan to fill vacancies only after departmental promotions and completion of NPSC recruitment was unacceptable.
"The health and lives of the citizens cannot be put on hold waiting for lengthy administrative procedures," the conference stated.
The students' body further declared that it would continue its ongoing agitation until appropriate medical officers are physically deployed to the concerned health centres and the required medical facilities are provided.
It also warned that the department would be held responsible for any untoward situation arising from the alleged shortage of healthcare personnel.
The Health department, in its earlier response to the USSC, had stated that all sanctioned staff nurse posts at PHC Chare and CHC Longkhim are currently filled, while deployment of vacant senior medical officer and medical officer posts would be considered after departmental promotions and regular recruitment through the Nagaland Public Service Commission are finalised.