Month: July 2014

Imphal, July 28: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has stated that it is high time to unite small departments having separate directorates but with similar aims and objectives. This will enhance quality of projects, he added.

During the demand wise discussion of the demand for grants, the CM spoke about similar but separate departments as responsible for projects being implemented improperly.

Citing IFCD, CADA and IM which serve the same purpose, he said due to their being separate departments but serving the same objective, the departments themselves are confused whether a particular project should be initiated by CADA, MI or IFCD.

If the departments collectively can implement any project effectively then quality will be maintained, Ibobi added.

Further stating that proper planning is important, he said every programme will be discussed with concerned MLAs so that development works are more effective.

Meanwhile, during the discussion on the Manipur Appropriation Bill, 2014, Ibobi said that there is a plan to construct a Manipur guest house at Navi Mumbai area particularly for the Cancer patients undergoing treatment at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

He also said that VDF personnel will be trained battalion wise from time to time.

Taking on another issue the CM said space has now been provided for setting up an immigration office at the Tulihal Airport and very soon required equipment will be installed at the office.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/cm-moots-merging-departments-to-expedite-projects/

Imphal, July 28: The PHE Department has identified some water resource bodies which can help in solving the water scarcity problem in the State.

PHED minister I Hemochandra stated this while clarifying on a cut motion raised by an opposition MLA on the failure to enact Water Security Act and to incorporate provisions for rain water harvesting and the failure to provide sufficient potable water in the State.

Hemochandra said that that the population of the valley which is around eight lakhs now might increase to 15 lakhs after 20 year.

There will be a big shortfall as we will need 101 million litres per day and we produce only 80 million litres daily, he added.

He further clarified that we received 146.7 cm of rainfall annually in the State and can consider it as plenty of water but a lack of policy still makes us suffer from water scarcity.

“The main reason of the scarcity is due to the Jhum cultivation deforestation. So, we need a multi-department conversion for the policy in the State,” said the PHED minister.

“We know for sure that the Water Security Act is very must needed in our State. But we don’t have enough funds as only Rs. 20 crore were earmarked during the budget allocation. We still need Rs 1,288 crores for overall repairing the old pipes and water supply scheme plans.”

The PHED minister described Leimaram waterfall, Waroiching, Arong River of Thoubal as some of the water bodies which can solve the water scarcity problem of the State.

He also stated that advance hand pump drilling machines helped in setting up tube wells for water supply augmentation in hills area during the last water scarcity problem.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/no-problem-for-water-scarcity-minister/

Imphal, July 28: Hospitals in the State have become money generating machines for many doctors, while the patients have become their commodities, observed MLA L Ibomcha moving a calling attention motion on the increase of conflicts between members of public and health care providers in the State, today.

Ibomcha further said that there are many doctors who are working in private hospitals while they are actually supposed to be serving in Government hospitals.

It is a serious matter, he said, adding that in order to make profit, doctors make patients undergo unnecessary clinical tests at the private centers, even though the government hospitals are equipped with the laboratory facilities.

Ibomcha said there is a need to appoint a welfare officer who can advise the patient parties about the cost involvement and other clinical testing required for a particular treatment.

He continued that some hospitals are running without specialist doctors, and this could be one reason for the tensions between these hospitals and patient parties.

He suggested that hospitals must be categorised on the availability of experts.

The State government should also check the irregularity on certification of pharmacist, he said.

In his clarification, the concerned Minister of Health Phungjathang Tongsing said that it is true that government doctors are practicing in the private hospital as well.

We have surveyed the private hospitals and government hospitals on the matter. We hope that from next year, the government can implement strict regulation on it.

We have installed Ultra Sound machines and baby warmers etc recently at every government hospitals, he said.

That government doctors are referring thier patients for testing or diagnoses to private clinics is also true, he said.

Recently, a doctor was suspended for such practice and suspension of five more doctors on similar grounds are under process, he said.

We will look into the matter deeply after the Session and a drive will be taken out to find out the unauthorised certification of Pharmacies both in the hills and valley with the help of police, said Phungjathang.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2014/07/hospitals-are-money-making-machines-for-doctors/