KSU demands govt to appoint more doctors in SWKH

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 3, 2020

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) South West Khasi Hills District has demanded the state government to appoint more doctors in the district.

“We demand the government to appoint more MBBS doctors in the district especially in view of the prevailing situation due to COVID-19 pandemic,” KSU-SWKH president Forwardman Nongrem said in a statement issued here on Sunday. 

He also informed that a memorandum was also submitted to the health minister Alexander Laloo Hek requesting for his intervention into the matter.

Stating the district was having a population of 1.10 lakh ss per the 2011 census, Nongrem however said the district is with only 10 MBBS doctors including 4 in Mawkyrwat CHC, 4 in Ranikor CHC, 1 in Wahkaji in PHC and 1 in Mawthawpdah PHC.

He said that two PHCs – Rangthong and Khonjoy – were functioning without any doctors. “We also demand the immediate appointment of doctors in these PHCs for the interest of the people,” he said.

According to him, due to this shortage of manpower handling of COVID-19 situation in the district would be a big challenge if there is a surge in the cases. 

Nongrem further informed that the union has also suggested the need to put in place testing facilities to increase random testing in the district including the border areas.  

“We also suggest the government to ensure thermal screening devices are available in all offices, market places and others instead of using them only at the entry-exit points to the district,” he said. 

The Union has further demanded the government to increase the COVID Intensive Care Units (ICUs) and ventilators in the district.