IF THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY
1. Introduction:
Situated at the Indo-Myanmar border on the eastern hills of Manipur, Behiang has been a famous village since its establishment in the 1940s. The tribals around the region have depended on chikhuh which is a torrential source of salty water to produce salt for consumption. It was one important battle field during the 2nd world war where the Allied forces fought the Japanese soldiers. Located strategically at about 60 kms from Churachandpur town and being the last village on Indian side of the border though Tedim Road, the village was always crowded with people from Myanmar side of the border as well as the 10 surrounding villages.
Even though trade and different walks of life goes on smoothly, health setting has never found a favour in terms of development. The Pimary Health Sub Center (PHSC) was upgraded to Primary Health Center in 1987-88 with Dr. Liankhozam Guite as the first Medical Officer. The PHC functions at the best level possible and caters the needs of the people. But with the start of ethnic conflict in 1997, the PHC became neglected and non-operational. The Behiang PHC covers 33 villages and has one Sub-Center at Hiangtam (K) village. The villages are not accessible by vehicle and it is always a challenge for the Medical Officers to travel about 20 kms on foot to treat a patient. Even the lone PHSC is not operational and inaccessible during rainy seasons.
It was 16th October 2014 when I joined the State Health service as a Medical Officer. I was posted at Behiang PHC and it was my first posting as a professional medical officer. Along with the minimal staff posted there, we stationed ourselves at Behiang on 20th Oct 2014. There, I saw the plight of the people because the hospital has been abandoned and inactive for many years. After renovating the infrastructures and re-organizing the medical equipments to fit the condition of the hospital, the team started providing Out Patient Service with no supply of medicine.
Needless to say, the delivery of primary health care in the most interior part of the country is complex and challenging. As an incharge medical officer of the PHC, I took to this matter seriously and held series of meetings and discussions with my fellow doctors, staffs, village chiefs, local church leaders, local organizations and other like-minded individuals. As a result of the discussions, we started to seek the help of local representatives like the Autonomous District Council Members, Members of Legislative Assembly and contractors working in the area.
And on 16th Nov. 2014, respected Director of Manipur Health Service Sir Dr O. Ibomcha visited the health center and felt the need for its upgradation to meet the increasing number of patients. The hospital was then gradually become functional for 24X7 and is now equipped with all the necessary equipments like Generator &Ultrasound machine making it to be the first of its kind in history amongst PHC located in hills .It has indeed become a huge challenge and we never dreamt of coming this far. Working at this peripheral end made us realized that these bordering villages along Indo-Myanmar international boundary solely depend on our PHC for all kinds of health services. Moreover, the past data and reports shows high maternal and child mortality rate mainly due to poor health facility and inefficient transportation.
2. The following persons contributed gladly for the improvement and proper functioning of the PHC:
Sl.No.
|
Name
|
Items
Contributed
|
1
|
Shri
Phungzathang Tonsing, Minister, Health & CADA, Government of Manipur
|
Basic
Life Support Ambulance
|
2
|
Shri
Ginsuanhau Zou, MLA, 60 (ST) Singngat AC
|
Renovation
of the whole building, construction of new water tank and fitting
a transformer for regular and sufficient power supply.
|
3
|
Shri
Langkhanpau Guite, Chairman, ADCC
|
Solar
lighting system for the whole PHC campus
|
4
|
Shri
Dr. O. Ibomcha, Director, MHS and NHM
|
Generator,
Ultrasound, other hospital equipments and medicines including man power to
run the PHC
|
5
|
Smt.
Mannuamching, IAS, CEO, ADCC
|
One
roll of carpet
|
6
|
Dr.
Thangchinkhup, CMO Churachandpur
|
Necessary
Manpower
|
7
|
Shri
Hausuanthang, Member, ADCC
|
One
bench
|
8
|
Shri
Sianzadong, Ex-Member, ADCC
|
One
bench
|
9
|
Smt.
Thianching
|
LCD
TV for waiting area
|
10
|
Shri
Chinlianmang and Lala
|
Construction
and singling of the approach road and PHC campus
|
11
|
Dr.
Jamthianlal, Singngat PHC i/c
|
Constant
support and guidance throughout the reconstruction
|
12
|
Dr.
Arun Moore, Cardiologist, Bangladesh
|
ECG
machine
|
13
|
Dr.
Steve Tungnung
|
2
door fridge - 1
|
14
|
Shri
T. Zamlunmang Zou, Social Worker
|
2 Dustbin
|
15
|
Shri
Suanlyan Tungnung, Social Worker
|
2
Dustbin
|
*A heartfelt thank to Shri Ginsuanhau Zou,MLA Singngat A/C and Dr. O. Ibomcha, Director, MHS & NHM for all round support.
With the help of Dr. Shadanand, MO and Chinkhansiam, Microscopist, I worked for the improvement of the PHC whenever there is no patient. Our main aim is to make the PHC functional for 24X7 with running water and regular power supply. We also run pillar to post in all the government departments asking for any available resources which will be beneficial for the health centre. We have no time to rest for the initial one year to make the PHC functional as a hospital.
Complicated cases were referred to Churachandpur or Imphal. There are also cases that delivery happened in an ambulance half way before reaching PHC. Serious cases such as accidents are also referred to Churachandpur as there is no such equipment to treat the same.
3. Manpower status of PHC Behiang
Sl.No.
|
Staff
|
Regular
|
Contractual
|
Total
|
1.
|
Medical Officer (MBBS)
|
2
|
0
|
2
|
2.
|
Medical Officer (AYUSH)
|
0
|
2
|
2
|
3.
|
Staff Nurse (GNM)
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
4.
|
ANM
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
5.
|
FHS
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
6.
|
MHS
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
7.
|
Pharmacist
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
8.
|
Microscopist
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
9.
|
BFM
|
0
|
1
|
1
|
10.
|
Driver
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
4. Some of the achievements may be mentioned below:
- The hospital provides not only OPD services, but In-patient service as well.
- So far, 30 deliveries have been done
- Routine immunization and new born care has been initiated.
- The PHC also started opening ADOLESCENT CLINIC.
- Free testing facilities for Hepatitis B and C have been provided to all ANC patients and other patients.
- Nebulization Corner has been renovated with all necessary equipments and medicines.
- Grievances redressal cell has been initiated by the staff and its management members.
- Labour room with all necessary medical equipments and medicines has been renovated to conduct safe delivery.
- Malaria clinic, Minor OT, Laboratory and Emergency services are available in the centre.
- The hospital has regular supply of electricity with all the needed electrical appliances properly fitted in each and every room. Previously, the health centre has no electricity or electrical appliances like cfl bulb, fan, tubelight, glow board, street lights etc.
- Hospital gate is newly constructed and a proper signboard is made.
- Instrument sterilization room with complete tools has been newly prepared.
- Intercom facility for staff and landline phone for ambulance call has been provided to facilitate better response to emergencies.
- Mobile OPD is provided once in a month for the people who could not access the centre.
- Immunization teams visited every village to provide immunization service and conduct health education to the far flung areas.
- Whenever possible, the centre jointly conduct free health camps with the Assam Rifles posted in the village.
- The staffs of the centre are also involved in providing social services like providing winter clothes to the poorest of the poor with the help of like-minded social workers and individuals, campaigning/ speaking out for their cause through social medias, newspapers etc.
5. Year-Wise Progress as per HMIS Report
No.
|
Date Items
|
YF
|
2011-12
|
2012-13
|
2013-14
|
2014-15
|
2015-16 (till Dec 2015)
|
1
|
Deliveries conducted at facility (Including C-Sections)
|
4
|
1
|
0
|
8
|
33
|
|
2
|
Mothers receiving JSY Incentives
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
9
|
|
3
|
ASHAs receiving JSY Incentives
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
7
|
|
4
|
BCG
|
26
|
36
|
33
|
22
|
35
|
|
5
|
Ambulance Referral/Transport
|
6
|
13
|
5
|
17
|
56
|
|
6
|
In-Patient
|
Children
|
0
|
3
|
0
|
2
|
23
|
Adults
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
16
|
40
|
||
7
|
OPD attendance (All)
|
1506
|
1049
|
914
|
2487
|
1
|
|
8
|
Operation minor (No or local anesthesia)
|
125
|
13
|
10
|
2
|
6
|
|
Note:
- The poor people of Behiang and surrounding villages are deprived of RBSK scheme which is mean to be benefited by the poor people and congenital defect patients.
- Fund means for maintenance of Ambulance is still a dream.
