Staff shortage cripples Ukhrul hospital

The lone government District Hospital at Hungpung, Ukhrul is facing an acute shortage of staff and is functioning with much difficulty.

The 100 bedded District Hopsital, Ukhrul is functioning with just 11 staff nurses out of sanctioned 33 staff nurses, with a shortfall of 23 staff nurses.

Out of 5 Nursing Sisters sanctioned post as per authorization, only 1 Nursing Sister is posted at present. 1 (one) Nursing Superintendent post is sanctioned as per authorization, but she has retired from service on superannuation and presently the post is lying vacant.

With the above present posted staff nurses/murses, the District Hospital of Ukhrul is managing every department of the hospital 24×7 with great difficulty and hardship.

As per authorization, Ukhrul District Hospital is sanctioned with 4 Pharmacist but only 1 Pharmacist is being posted at present and that too is being utilized at District Hospital from District Mobile Unit as a temporary stop gap arrangement.

The District Hospital of Ukhrul is functioning without a Radiographer. As per sanctioned post, 1 Radiograoher/X-ray has to be posted. But no Radiographer has been posted since the last posted staff retired on superannuation more than 10 years ago. Presently, the District Hospital.of Ukhrul is managing the services of X-ray department by utilizing the service of one Radiographer posted under CMO pool. The District Hospital of Ukhrul requires posting of 2 Radiographers. One Radiographer to be detailed for the day shift duty and one for the night shift duty (in rotation) as many emergencies, medical and accidental cases, needing x-ray investigation come during the night time.

Three (3) UDC/Office Assistant are sanctioned as per authorization at District Hospital Ukhrul, but no UDC/Office Assistant is posted at present. All the official clerical works of the District Hospital are being managed with the help of one office assistant being posted under the Dostrict Surveillance IlUnit (DSU) of Ukhrul District as a temporary stop gap arrangement.

The following specialist – ENT Specialist, Dermatologist (Skin Specialist), Psychiatrist, Radiologist, and Transfusion Medicine are very vital and necessary for efficient and effective functioning of every District Hospitals but none of these Specialist doctors are posted at present at District Hospital Ukhrul.

Besides the above, District Hospital Ukhrul does not have a Surgeon and Anesthetist and all surgical cases are being referred to higher Centre for further management. The actual sanctioned Medical Officer post as per authorization is 14. However, only 7 Medical Officers are posted at present and managing the services of District Hospital, Ukhrul.

Out of 3 sanctioned posts of cook, only 1 is being posted at present. In addition, there are a number of vacancies to be filled at District Hospital Ukhrul.

Ukhrul District Hospital has become a dumping ground. The ultra sound machine is there, but it is yet to be installed. The X-ray machine is there but without a technician. The Frontier Manipur