ES Reporter

SEPPA, Oct 22: Expressing concern over the state’s health sector, Health Minister Alo Libang on Thursday said that non-performing health staff may have to face difficulties in gaining promotion.

Libang made this statement while addressing a meeting here at Seppa in East Kameng. Speaking to the doctors, he added that for the sake of welfare of the state’s people and to strengthen the health sector, steps of this kind may have to be taken. “There are many specialist doctors performing different roles such as Programme and Nodal Officers, whereas their actual job responsibilities are meant exclusively for the health sector. Such doctors should be recalled and reassigned to deliver their actual duty as specialist doctors so that common people could get the intended benefits,” the Minister stated.

While acknowledging the shortage of manpower in almost all districts, Libang opined there should be decentralization in transfers and postings. “Instead of transfer and posting of doctors in a particular location, we should decentralize the process and allow the concerned Deputy Commissioner and the District Medical Officer to take the decisions regarding their engagement as per the needs of Sub-centres, CHCs and district hospitals,” he added.  

The Health Minister also appealed to the members of the Arunachal Pradesh Doctors’ Association (APDA) to extend their support in the process of rationalization in postings and transfers of doctors. “I also appeal to those health officials who are currently working in other states to come and serve their own home state,” he said. ‘There is hardly a population of 14 lakh in Arunachal Pradesh which is nothing in comparison to other states. If there is determination to give the best, the state’s health sector would definitely get a boost,” Libang asserted, adding that if required the existing Central rules should be changed to meet the state-specific needs.

Earlier, briefing on the health scenario of East Kameng, DMO Dr. K Lapung informed that the district has only 4 specialist doctors whereas the requirement is for 24 and only 9 GDMOs when the actual requirement is 30. He also stressed on upgradation of the Bana and Bameng PHCs to Community Health Centres (CHCs) along with others. Advisor to the Health Department-cum-MLA Goruk Pordung, OSD to Health Minister Dr. B Jonkey and others spoke on the occasion.

Meanwhile, the Minister also conducted a meeting with the officials and staff of the departments of Women & Child Development and Social Justice Empowerment & Tribal Affairs of East Kameng.