IMPHAL, October 26: Health services at Behiang Physical Health Centre, which is under Churachandpur District`™s Singhat sub-division located at Indo-Myanmar border, shall be available for 24 hours a day every day of the week according to O Ibomcha, director of State health Services, who is also the Mission Director of National Rural Health Mission, Manipur.
A high level State officials led by Ginsuanhau Zou, MLA of Singhat, including Lunminthang Haokip, Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur, Samson Sheiro, Additional director of State Health Services, Thangchinkhup Guite, Chief Medical Officer of Churachandpur, T Hatzaw, EE of Electricity department, Rajiv Irengbam, State Programme Manager of NHM, Arun Meitram, UNICEF Consultant and several other officials visited Behiang PHC on October 24.
During their visit an ultrasound machine, a generator, a water storage tank and medicines were given to the said PHC.
MLA Ginsuanhau, speaking to the media on the sidelines of the visit, said that the 24×7 service to be provided at the Behiang PHC is a good step taken up by the State health Services.
He ensured that in consultation with the DC of the district and functionaries of other line departments, facilities like tube well and solar power back-up will be provided for smooth functioning of the PHC.
Ibomcha, who also spoke to the media, said that the initiative has been taken up with a view to provide optimum health care services to the people, who are living near the border.
He continued that the State Health Mission will ensure that required infrastructure and manpower are provided adequately to the PHC.
He added that earlier, only one AYUSH doctor was managing the PHC, but two MBBS doctors have now been posted to make it 24×7 functional. Alongside, three additional doctors will be posted at the PHC, he informed.
He emphasised that effective inter-sectorial convergent action like PHED, PWD, Power Department and community involvement is needed to bring transformation in the health sector, even though the State Health Directorate may strive hard.
Further, he said that people of Behiang widely follow traditional delivery at home. The practice of institutional delivery is very low. Today`™s initiative of declaring the PHC of Behiang, as a `delivery point`™ was conducted in coordination with different line departments and local MLA, he added.
Lunminthang Haokip DC of Churachandpur who accompanied the team said that he wants to further discuss with the village authority and PHC staff as how to improve health care services in the border town by involving different departments.
During the visit, a free medical camp was also conducted, in which many villagers turned up to seek medical check-up. The team also visited the PHCs of Singhat and Zezaw under the Churachandpur District.