President of TMNL, Somatai Machinao informed this correspondent that in spite of the governor’s order on September 17 in regards to transfer and posting of Dr P Manglembi Chanu at Ukhrul District Hospital, the said doctor is yet to join her designated post. He lamented that people in Ukhrul had been facing a lot of hardship due to lack of medical facilities and this has made the situation even worse by the absence of specialist. The absence of appointed doctors only adds on to the suffering, he added.

“The absence of Dr P Manglembi Chanu was known on Wednesday when we learnt that a 28 years old patient had to be referred to a hospital in Imphal. The said patient was admitted the same day and was diagnosed with intestinal perforation. However, with the absence of an anaesthetist, the surgery could not be performed in spite of the availability of surgeons and required facilities in Ukhrul District Hospital,” said Somatai.  

It may be mentioned that on September 12, the TMNL had stage a protest for improving the healthcare system of Ukhrul District Hospital. They had demanded for a medical specialist, surgeon and anaesthetist beside others. Accordingly, the Governor of Manipur on September 17 had issued an order appointing the transfer and posting of Dr Manglembi at Ukhrul District Hospital. Again, on September 18, the governor had issued an order for transfer and posting of five doctors in Ukhrul District Hospital. It included specialists in medicine, pathology, surgery, paediatrics and medical officers (PMR).

CMO of Ukhrul, Dr Kapangring A Shimray said that Dr Manglembi has not given her joining report till date.

TMNL had appealed to the concerned authority to look into the matter at the earliest looking at the greater interest of the people.