USSC raises alarm over doctor, nurse shortage in Longkhim-Chare

DIMAPUR — The United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) expressed its deep concern in a letter to the Principal Director of the Department of Health and Family Welfare regarding the critical shortage of doctors and staff nurses, as well as the lack of basic medical facilities in the Longkhim-Chare area.

Stating that these shortages are significantly impacting the healthcare services provided to the community, the USSC mentioned that there is one community health centre (CHC) in Longkhim under the Longkhim-Chare area, which should ideally have at least four doctors and seven staff nurses.

“However, the current situation is alarming as the CHC Longkhim is being managed by only one doctor and four staff nurses. This inadequate staffing pattern severely hampers the quality of healthcare services offered to the population,” read the letter.

Furthermore, it stated that among the five health centres in the area—PHC Chare, PHC Tsadang, SHC Mangakhi, PHC Chimonger, and PHC Angangba—only PHC Angangba has a doctor, while the remaining four are operating without a single doctor, leaving the people in these areas with limited access to basic healthcare services.

In addition to the shortage of doctors and nurses, there is also an urgent need for medical facilities such as an ultrasound machine and the latest X-ray machine, along with a technician at CHC Longkhim and a pharmacist at PHC Chare.

Noting that these shortages pose a significant threat to the lives of the citizens of the Longkhim-Chare area and hinder the effective implementation of public health programmes and initiatives, the student body urged the department to take immediate action to address these pressing issues in the greater interest and welfare of the general public.

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