Manipur High Court orders Health Director & Pherzawl CMO to strengthen services in hill district
DC asked to submit report in 3 months
The Manipur High Court Division Bench of Justice Ramalingam Sudharkar & Justice A Bimol has ordered the Directorate of Health Services & Pherzawl District CMO to immediately take steps to alleviate the conditions of health centres especially in Hmar inhabited areas.
The order came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by J Dalthangsang of Saidan village.
The court also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Pherzawl to do an on spot inquiry of road coditions and also the health centres especially in Senvon, Leisen, Parvachawm and others. The top district official has been asked to submit a report within 3 months from the date of order issued i.e. 12th of October, 2020.
The petitoner also apprised the court that the people living in Pherzawl District are facing hardship to reach the nearest hospital or health centre and they are being forced to use bamboo stretchers to carry the sick for as far as 50 kilometres.
The petitioner also mentioned that there is no PHC building in Senvon village, Leisen PHSC, Parvachawm PHSC. “And these centres are without proper government staff and are in a defunct state,” the PIL stated.
The nearest Community Health Centre from Senvon is at Parbung and this is 20 km from the village. The petitioner also said that the nearest Community Health Centre from Parvachom PHSC is 99 km and the nearest Community Health Centre from Leisen PHSC – also located in Parbung – is very far. “There are also no and health facility for Lungthulien village PHSC,” the PIL added.
The petitioner also added that there are no ante-natal care, intra-natal care & emergency medical facilities for villagers in this region. The poor road conditions worsened sick persons fate as they have to be carried long distances.
Meanwhile, Manipur Attorney General N Kumarjit said in response to the PIL that “there is no specific complaint made to any of the official respondents. “However, considering the nature of the grievances expressed by the petitioner, we would dispense with the requirement of representation. The writ petition shall itself be treated as a representation,” the AG noted.
