Manipur is in a “sorry state” regarding oral healthcare services. Till date there is no report of any government’s oral health facilities running effectively in the state, Health Minister Sapam Ranjan has said.
“We are in a sorry state," the health minister said while addressing the inaugural of the training programme for Capacity Building of MHS Dental Surgeons at Hotel Classic Grande in Imphal East on Tuesday.
Urging government dentists to utilise their specialty in serving the people, the minister said the state will not tolerate any negligence of duty by the health staff.
Stringent action will be taken up against those doctors who neglect their duties, he said in view of the frequent alleged dereliction of duties at posting places by doctors and other health workers.
Habit of chewing pan a concern
Pointing out that the habit of chewing pan among all sections, Dr Ranjan said it poses a serious concern for oral health in the state.
The health minister stressed the need of inculcating awareness among the public, including educational institutes, on oral health in a robust manner.
Inadequate Dental Surgeons in Manipur
Health Services director Sasheekumar Mangang pointed put the lack of adequate dental surgeons in the state health department.
"The tate Health department should have at least 440 dental surgeons looking into the standard doctor-patient ratio. The department, however, has only 106 sanctioned posts for dental surgeons," Dr Sasheekumar said.
Pointing out that the department has a shortage of around 310 dental surgeons, the director drew the attention of the state government for increasing the strength of the dental surgeons thereby giving a wholesome dental care to the people of Manipur.
Defective Machines
Regarding the general complaints of defective equipment, Dr Ranjan informed that the government had decided to install new software to take complaints of any machinery malfunctions for redressing the issue in time.
Pointing out that government machineries in hospitals were being treated with negligence, he called on the officials and staff to use those machineries with a sense of ownership.
During the technical session of the training programme, MHS dental surgeon Dr K Gunadhar spoke on "Refining Endodontics and Regenerative Endodontics" while RIMS associate professor Dr K Sashikumar spoke on "Recent advance in imaging technology in dentistry."
The programme, organised under the National Oral Health Programme of National Health Mission, Manipur, also witnessed additional chief secretary V Vumlunmang and state mission director of NHM, Manipur, Dr Somorjit Ningombam as presidium members of the inaugural function.
