RIMS Imphal to resume services on September 24

IMPHAL — Healthcare services at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal will resume on September 24 after being suspended since Monday due to a violent incident.

It may be recalled that a senior doctor was assaulted, and the Medical Superintendent's office vandalised by a mob following two patient deaths, sparking widespread outrage among medical staff.

The Teachers' and Medical Officers' Association (TAMOA), which announced the suspension of services, has temporarily halted its agitation, allowing hospital services to resume from 8 am as of September 24.

RIMS Medical Superintendent Dr. N Sanjib Singh and senior doctors announced the resumption of services at a hastily convened press conference in Imphal on Tuesday evening.

Related: Teachers’ and Medical Officers’ Association to shut down all services at RIMS

The announcement came soon after the TAMOA examined and reviewed the appeal suggestions by the general body of RIMS consisting of fraternities of medical, nursing, non-teaching, resident doctors and students on Tuesday.

Considering all aspects including the hardship faced by the public, the TAMOA resolved to “temporarily suspend the agitation and resume hospital care services” from 8 am of Wednesday, according to a circular issued by the TAMOA.

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The association however agreed to resume services with certain conditions, demanding that authorities swiftly apprehend the perpetrators, ensure prompt communication to resolve misunderstandings between doctors and patients, take legal action against social media threats and slander, enhance security measures at RIMS, and establish a dedicated public relations cell.

Meanwhile, the medical fraternity in Manipur staged a sit-in against violence targeting healthcare providers by launching one-day cease work of all routine OPDs, elective surgeries and diagnostic tests in all private, government and individual home clinics including diagnostic centres, at IMA premises in Imphal on Tuesday. The cease work will continue till 6 am of Wednesday.