In view of the frequent alleged dereliction of duties at posting places by doctors and other health workers, Health Minister S Ranjan on Tuesday warned of stringent action against those doctors who neglect their duties.
"We will not tolerate any such negligence," the minister said while speaking during the inaugural of the training programme for Capacity Building of MHS Dental Surgeons at Hotel Classic Grande in Imphal East.
Regarding the general complaints of defective equipment, Ranjan informed that the government had decided to install a new software to take complaints of any machinery malfunctions for timely addressal of the issue.
Pointing out that government machineries at the hospitals were being treated with negligence, he called on the officials and staff to use those machineries with a sense of ownership.
Talking on oral health, Ranjan pointed out that the habit of chewing pan among all sections, especially women, has become a great concern for oral health in the state.
Ranjan stressed the need of inculcating awareness among the public, including educational institutes on oral health in a robust manner.
Informing that the minister himself has not received any report of any government’s oral health facilities running effectively in the state, he said, “We are in a sorry state”.
The minister called upon all the government dentists to work for the state and its people and make their speciality a part in serving the people.
According to Health director Sasheekumar Mangang, the state Health department needs to have at least 440 dental surgeons looking into the standard doctor-patient ratio. However, the department has only 106 sanctioned posts for dental surgeons, he informed.
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.
During the technical session, 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.
