Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 01 2009:
Notwithstanding the tall claims of the authority to develop RIMS to a status comparable to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, the institute is even unable to treat bullet injuries 'for lack of instruments'.
The irony is that small private hospitals/clinics often succeed where big and ambitious RIMS fail thereby forcing the patients to spend far larger amounts of money.
In one such case, a man suffering bullet injury was referred to Shija Hospitals and Research Institute citing lack of instruments in RIMS.
Thangminlen Kipgen (35) of T Waichong village, IT Road, Tamenglong district was admitted to RIMS Hospital at about 11 last night with bullet injuries on the chest and abdomen.
He was shot by his friends accidentally when four of them went hunting at Koubru hills.
Except administration of IV injection, no other treatment was given to Thangminlen all night.
To remove the bullets lodged in his body surgically, it was necessary to identify the exact spots where the bullets were lodged.
But nothing was done in this regard.
It was only when the patient party enquired about the inaction of the doctors this morning that they were told that RIMS has no C-Arm instrument.
Subsequently Thangminlen was referred to Shija Hospital.
Speaking to media persons, vice-president of KSO Imphal Minthang Haokip lamented that non-availability of C-Arm at RIMS is most regrettable considering its fame as one of the largest hospitals in the entire North East region.
Commenting on the matter, RIMS Medical Superintendent Y Mohen conceded that the instrument (C-ARM) went out of order since three months back.
However, a letter has been sent to the Director to repair the instrument, he added.
On the other hand, routine surgical operations were suspended in RIMS today as no sufficient staff was present due to the general strike called by the
MPLF.
However, emergency operations were conducted.
It is said that patients who were scheduled to undergo operations today would be operated upon next week, if their conditions demand.