
Shillong, Jan 14: Concerns have been raised over non-functioning MRI machine, shortage of staff and absence of pathology test facilites in Shillong
The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) has asked the state government to address deficiencies in the Shillong civil hospital that are affecting the people, especially the poor who are depending on civil hospital for treatment
FKJGP president Dundee C Khongsit-led delegation met the medical superintendent of civil hospital following complaints from the public.
“It is a matter of great concern to know about the different deficiencies faced by the civil hospital.Accessibility to better health care is the right of every citizen of the state. Therefore, we urge the government to give the health sector as its top priority because poor health care facilities are affecting the poor people of the state, who totally rely on these government institutions. We also demand the government to immediately take measures to address these deficiencies for the interest and welfare of the citizens of the state,” Khongsit told reporters on Tuesday.
The FKJGP president said the medical superintendent had told the delegation that the hospital authority had already taken up with the government the non-operation of the MRI machine since 2018. However, till today no action has been taken to make it operational.
“From her statement, we can imagine if such important machines are not there in a civil hospital located in the state dcapital, what kind of health services do we expect them to give in rural areas of the state,” he said.
No pathology testing facility
The medical superintendent informed that after the pathologist was transferred to Ganesh Das Hospital, there has been no step taken to appoint a replacement in the civil hospital and that is why a pathology test could not be done there.
Shortage of staff
“The MS also cited shortage of staff as the reason behind the hospital’s failure to address the daily complaints that people dropped in the complaint box,” he said.