The High Court of Manipur has taken note of the acute shortage and disproportionate distribution of staff in Chandel District Hospital.
TFM Desk
Taking note of the acute shortage and disproportionate distribution of staff in Chandel District Hospital, the High Court of Manipur on Wednesday observed that the Manipur government has to fill the vacant post, or the purpose of establishing a District Hospital rendered meaningless and the State shall be liable for the same.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the HC by Moranthyel Saka from Khangshim Village seeking to recruit/appoint Specialist Doctors, Nurses, Lab Technician, Grade IV and other staff as per sanctioned post which are vacant — to ensure the required number of staff to be posted, to monitor the disproportionate distribution of staff between Imphal and Chandel District and to provide adequate number of ambulances for the District Hospital so as to ensure requisite health service as guaranteed by the constitution and as per Indian Public Health Standards guidelines, as per a press note issued by advocate Osbert Khaling.
The PIL states that Chandel District Hospital has been facing acute shortage of staff running and equipment without sufficient expert technicians/operator for many years. The petitioner Moranthyel Saka is pursuing law from Shillong Law College. The Petition (PIL No. 73 of 2021, Moranthyel Saka vs State of Manipur & 3 Ors.) was filed through his counsel
Osbert Khaling and JS Chamdil Anal highlighting that the hospital does not have enough manpower, medical officers to avail quality services and care to the patients nor
Technician/ competent person to operate the provided equipment in the hospital leading to large referral of patients to other private hospital or to the two tertiary hospitals of Imphal, JNIMS or RIMS incurring additional and exorbitant expenses, which are not feasible for the tribal people belonging to a weaker section of society whose main source of livelihood is farming.
The HC also observed that the funds provide by centre has to be used for development and maintenance of the Hospitals. Osbert Khaling, counsel for the petitioner further stated that it is the duty and responsibility of the State to protect the rights of the Denizens of Chandel as for many years the people have been aggrieved by the apathy and unresponsive behaviour of the State Government for the health and welfare of the Chandel District.
It further stated, beside the Constitution of India even international norms like Article 25 of the United Nation Declaration of Human Rights ensures that everyone has a right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family.