Saikul MLA Kimneo Haokip Hangshing on Monday raised questions on the present condition of healthcare after 75 years of Independence, during the launching programme of Block Health Mela in respect of Saikul Sub Division, Sadar Hills East in Kangpokpi district.
The block health mela was organised as part of the celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava by the Block Health Society, Sadar Hills East at Hoikhonei Multi-Purpose Hall, Thangkanphai village.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, the youngest legislator of the state Kimneo said that Health Mela is a part of the celebration of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, which is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of India's Independence from the British Rule. The celebration started on March 12, 2021, by initiating a 75-week countdown to the 75th anniversary of Independence and scheduled to end after a year on August 15, 2023, she said.
“The real question we should ask ourselves today is where are we today after 75 years of Independence? What is our standard of living? Where are we in terms of healthcare?” she questioned.
She also pondered what has the state provided for its citizen's need for healthcare and further questioned if the people are utilising the resources provided by the state to its full potential.
“Are we sincere in taking care of our children's overall health development? Are we equipped enough to deal with complications faced by pregnant and lactating women? Do we have enough facilities to deal with emergencies?” she further questioned.
“If we still do not have satisfactory answers to these questions, then the celebration of 75 years of Indian Independence will not be fruitful, and we all should introspect ourselves on our responsibilities to realise where the problem actually lies,” she added.
She pointed out that in 2021, India ranked 66th in the Global security health Index at 27.6, and India ranked 47th in Infant Mortality rate while adding that the High Infant Mortality rates are generally indicative of unmet human health needs in Sanitation, medical care, nutrition, and education.
“We are all aware of the difficulties we faced during the recent pandemic, and we all know we are not well-equipped with such global pandemics, and if recent medical experts' opinions are to be true, our world will not be free from such pandemic in the future,” she maintained.
“Saikul CHC is one of the best CHCs and it has been commended and recognised by the state Government in recent years. I am not denying that our Medical health Officers and their staff are not doing their best, but I am pointing out the fact that there are still a lot of areas for improvement in terms of the health sector in our constituency and the authorities need to be aware of the urgency and unmet medical needs of our people,” she added.
“If the system from the top does not meet the needs of the people, the only other option we have is to start from the bottom, from the grassroots level,” she said.
DC Kangpokpi, CMO Kangpokpi, and various other dignitaries, including the civil body leaders of Saikul also spoke on the occasion.
DC Kangpokpi Kengoo Zuringla also attended the event as president while chief medical officer Kangpokpi Dr Lamkhoneng Haokip and Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai president Seimang Lupho attended as guests of honour.
Former councillors of ADC Sadar Hills, district level officers, line department officials of Saikul block, including MO i/c CHC Saikul cum secretary Block Health Society, Saikul Dr John Lupheng; SDO Saikul cum Chairman, Block Health Society, Saikul Bhungba Maibam and various civil society organisation leaders also attended the programme.
