Shillong, Nov 30: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) West Khasi Hills District Unit has written to the Health and Family Welfare Minister A.L. Hek on the current functioning of the District Hospital at Nongstoin pointing out that there are issues relating to availability, accessibility and quality of the health institution.

The union in the memorandum to the Minister said that the staff strength, equipment supply, service availability and population coverage are not uniform.

In this connection, with an aim to revamp the health service, the union has urged the Minister to appoint a Radiologist or Sonologist to operate Ultrasound and X-Ray, to operationalize ICU, OT and various wards with Central Oxygen Line, installation of Endoscopy and Laparoscopy equipment in the hospital.

Stating that the Blood Bank is ready to operate at Nongstoin, the union said that the appointment of Pathologist (MD), Blood Transfusion Medicine (MD) doctors and additional staff are required.

The union has also appealed for the appointment of specialities doctors of Orthopaedic Surgeon, Psychiatrist, Ophthalmologist, MD Medicine, ENT for service availability to the public.

“The District Hospital at Nongstoin as per the Indian Public Health Standards deserved continued up-gradation to keep pace with the advances in medical knowledge, diagnostic procedures, storage and retrieval of information. Therefore, the Union demanded extension and sanction of additional buildings for the construction of Administrative Block Cum Outdoor Patient Department (OPD), Medicinal and General Stores, Emergency and Casualty Services and Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Centre”, the union mentioned.

Health issues in West Khasi Hills

The union in the memorandum to the Health Minister has pointed out a number of issues related to health care problems and functioning of government hospitals in West Khasi Hills District and the difficulties that people faced especially during emergencies.

The union drew the attention of the minister to Langpih and Nongkhnum where it stated that it is highly essential to set up newly constructed Sub-Centres at Langpih and Nongkhnum.

The union observed that Langpih Area in the Meghalaya-Assam border deserves a proper health centre catering to the needs of rural villages at the border while Nongkhnum Area is one of the most beautiful tourists’ destinations in the District that is bereft of proper health care facilities.

Pointing out that the number of patients is increasing day by day, the union said, there is a need for the Up-gradation of Primary Health Centre at Kynshi, Myriaw, Pariong and Markasa to a combine Community Health Centre in Mawthadraishan Block.

The union also mentioned about increasing the number of beds and extension of buildings and facilities to the Primary Health Centre of Maweit, Nonglang, Shallang and Rambrai as these health centres are catering to the needs of rural people which are far from the District Headquarter Hospital.

The union also voiced concern on the shortage of manpower at the Nongstoin Civil Hospital and has requested the Health Minister to increase the manpower at the District Medical & Health Office the Union by appointing the Maternal & Child Health Officer in the District.

Arts and culture

The KSU WKH unit has also mentioned about the Auditorium Cum Library which was estimated in 2017 to construct in the Deputy Commissioner Complex at Nongstoin under the Arts & Culture Department has not been materialised and sanctioned until now.

The union said that the District Library is outdated and has requested Hek who is also the Arts and Culture Minister to look into the matter for the welfare of all