Category: District

Kushhang Leewang
Geyzing, Jan 24
In the wake of ‘Gangtok Chalo Abhiyan’ initiated by Sikkim Progressive Youth Forum demanding better health based facilities in the district hospital, Geyzing, the Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) P.D Rai today visited the hospital, Geyzing and took stock of conditions of the hospital and medical facilities available at the hospital. He was accompanied by CMO (west) Tsheten Bhutia, DC (west) A.B Karki and medical officials of the hospital. 
M.P P.D Rai inspected all the medical units of the hospital and met the under treatment patients and interacted with them. He asked them about availability of medical facilities in the hospital. 
Later on P.D Rai along with CMO Tsheten Bhutia and medical officials attended the press conference held at the conference hall of the hospital. P.D Rai in the press conference termed his hospital visit as unplanned and surprise (visit). He expressed that he found the hospital being run well and all the basic medical facilities are available in the hospital. Claiming that the district hospital, Geyzing is as good as any other hospital in the state, P.D Rai said that all the free medical facilities along with free medicines are available in the hospital. “While speaking to some of the patients here, they informed me that they are receiving all the facilities avail by the hospital. They were happy and I found everything in order”, he said. 
Replying about concerns raised by some section of the society regarding poor health based facilities in the district hospital, Geyzing, P.D Rai was of the opinion that others could come to any conclusion in regard to health related service in the hospital but it is the opinion of common people who visit the hospital for treatment matters the most. “Their (people) opinion is – they are happy with the way the health based services are being made available to them”, he added.
When M.P was asked about ongoing protest march by Sikkim Progressive Youth Forum (SPYF) demanding better medical facilities in the Geyzing hospital, he said, “In my opinion they (SPYF) are misguided. They should have healthy and positive approach towards redressal of issue related to the hospital. I appeal them to take a positive and open minded approach for finding amicable solutions of the problems”, Rai said. Speaking about making necessary provisions of medical facilities in the hospital P.D Rai informed that the post of radiologist and some medical specialists would be fulfilled very soon. He added that the state government is committed to bring about necessary changes in the health sector. 
He further informed that considering the backwardness of the west district, it has been included in the list of aspirational districts of the country and development of all the sectors along with health sectors will be initiated. 
P.D Rai claimed that development of health sector has happened in the state and it is evident from the fact that average life expectancy rate of sikkimese people have increased along with infant mortality rate. He added that with the establishment of 1000 bedded hospital at Sokeythang, east Sikkim the people can avail quality health based services within the state. 
CMO, Tsheten Bhutia informed that effort is being made by the health department to equip the district hospital, Geyzing with all necessary medical facilities. He expressed that in order to avail all medical facilities in the hospital, the administration also require skilled human resource. However he added that the hospital has now an increased numbers of medical specialists and nursing staffs.
“Specialists in different medical fields and 40 new nursing staffs have been appointed by the hospital to ensure availability of better treatment to the people Intensive Care Unit, provision of Ultra Sound facility, blood bank and other facilities are available in the hospital. The hospital is installing CT scan machine very soon considering the demands of the people”, he said. 
Bhutia asserted that the district hospital, Geyzing will be fully equipped with all the medical facilities within six months and the health department is committed to fulfill the demands for better health based facilities in the hospital. On lack of radiologist and general surgeon in the hospital, Bhutia
stated that process is underway to fulfill the posts. It may be mentioned here that a radiologist from Namchi hospital attends the patients here once in a month. 
Tsheten Bhutia further informed that once the post of radiologist and installation of CT scan in the hospital is done, the 99% of criteria as per National Public Health Standard will be fulfilled. “Even the SPYF has accepted that improvement has taken place in the hospital. However it may take some time to bring everything in order”, he said. He expressed that the people instead of expressing their opinions and criticisms in the public domains should visit the hospital where they can share their valuable advices and suggestions with the hospital’s administration in regard to betterment of the hospital.