More attention needed in state health care scenario, says Heptulla

Talks on with Centre for helicopter service

Our Bureau

IMPHAL |Aug 6

Manipur is likely to start employing helicopter services so as to address the “miseries of the people” living in far flung areas regarding health related matters, said governor Najma Heptulla.

She was speaking at the prize distribution ceremony for the dedicated staffs of Japanese Hospital Manipur at the conference hall of Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Porompat here today.

The event was sponsored by Japanese Second World War Victims Memorial Hospital Trust, Manipur.

The governor continued that talks are on with the Civil Aviation minister at the Centre to allocate Rs 25 crores to get helicopter services in the state very soon in order to provide necessary equipment to meet the needs of those not only in the city but also those in far-flung remote parts of the State.

Drawing serious concern over the present health scenario in Manipur, Najma Heptulla said that not much attention has been given to remove the miseries of the people regarding health related matters in spite of the State being endowed with a beautiful climate and great biodiversity.

Giving a brief insight of the old relation between Manipur and Japan the governor said, “There is already a Peace Memorial Hospital known as Peace Park at Maibam Lokpa Ching (Red Hill) in Bishnupur district constructed by the Japanese War veterans in memory of Japanese soldiers killed here in the Second World War. The hospital is another step to foster further friendship and cooperation between Manipur and Japan.”

The governor appealed to the authorities of the hospital to go to the far-flung rural areas where medical facilities are almost nill to provide the much needed health services apart from establishing good rapport with their patients who are poor and needy.

Focussing on health as a quintessential part of life, she also said, “Investment for eradication of diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, cholera etc. and also for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS and H1N1 especially in the context of Manipur is of great economic value. Right now, the State is also facing the challenge posed by a bout of dengue and Japanese Encephalitis. But we have great hope that we shall overcome such viruses/diseases.”

Here, the selfless services endered by the staffs of the Japanese Hospital is of immense value, she added.

Member of the Japanese Hospital, Yumnam(o) Jamuna Devi presented the governor a bouquet and a hand product comprising of phanek and lily (tharo).

The prize distribution ceremony began with an opening song titled “Ho ima nungshibi, poknapham lamdam paamubi, ima nangi natambaakshe, yengbagi penba naideda” from the artists of Khonjel Artist Union. The song was scripted by.W .Gojen Meitei.

Director JNIMS, Dr. Th Bhimo Singh, medical superintendent JNIMS, Prof. L Ranbir Singh; nursing superintendent JNIMS, P. Landhoni Devi, president of Japanese Hospital Manipur, T.M. Rajen Ayangba,  national secretary, All India Dalit Development Association, Yumnam Mahendrakumar Singh and treasurer of Japanese Hospital Manipur, H. Suraj Sharma shared the dais with the governor in the function.