Treatment schemes of RIMS

L Memo Singh *

RIMS - Regional Institute of Medical Science, Imphal in January 2015 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

It is not an exaggeration to appreciate the fact that Regional Institute of Medical Sciences provides satisfaction to the maximum number of sick persons who are in need of the indoor services of its hospital for the treatment of their diseases.

In the course of its services for the last more than 40 (forty) years, several schemes and policies as regards the treatments, diagnosis and investigations were brought from time to time by both the RIMS administration and the RIMS hospital administration.

People always think that any sick person who has been treated in the RIMS is relieved of his disease or his health problem and thus the impression of the general public is that it is the business of the hospital authorities to look to every aspect of the sick person’s need. It is true that the task of diagnosis and treatment of a disease has to be done in a hospital.

But so far as the cost of treatment in the RIMS is concerned, the majority sections of patients and patient’s parties usually suffer great hardships to meet the expenditure of treatment in RIMS Hospital, Imphal It cannot be denied that hospital authority has failed to apply their mind in this direction earlier.

There may be many reasons for excuse. But it remains regretted for the last several years. Generally a hospital has two functions to perform – to provide medical treatment to a sick person and to diagnose the disease.

The problem of sickness is reduced due to the provision of institution which may take care of patients and connect them with the hospitals for their diagnosis and treatment as outdoor and indoor patients.

In the midst of such situations, very surprisingly and unexpectedly the RIMS Officiating Director, Prof. A. Santa has announced several welfare schemes for treatment and the diagnosis of indoor patients and causality admitted patients in RIMS Hospital, Imphal as well as new policies for hiking the salaries of contract staffs besides the decision to implement the recommendation of the 7th central pay commission with respect to the employees of RIMS.

In a press meet held on 30th Dec., 2017 Officiating Director, Prof. A. Santa Singh informed that on 12th December 2017 there was a specific meeting of SFC (Standing Finance Committee) at New Delhi in respect of the agenda tabled by the RIMS representatives in the meeting and that almost all the different 31 agenda were given consent in the meeting Prof. A. Santa Singh describes the meeting as a turning point for RIMS and the people of Manipur.

He further informed that considering pauper economic status of the people of Manipur, the earlier rate of investigations such as MRI, CT scan, Lithotripsy etc in RIMS had been reduced to 50-80 percent for all patients coming for treatment. However, there will be no charges for all diagnosis and investigations for in-patients admitted in the wards and causality considering the hardships being face by the patients and the patient parties.

Earlier, RIMS had declared that 57 number of diagnostics and investigations were provided free of cost to the patients. Now, all the diagnostic and investigations available in RIMS will be provided without any fee to the in-patients” and also the earlier long queue system standing in the cash counter will not be there for the convenient of the patient parties. Now, the patient party could directly approach the laboratories as an when required.

He also informed that the earlier fee of Rs 1100 for CT scan has been reduced to Rs. 200 only, the cost of MRI which was earlier Rs. 3500 will be reduce to Rs. 2500, Lithotripsy charges which was earlier Rs. 5000 will be slashed to Rs. 2500. In addition, dialysis will be provided free of cost to the patients. A RIMS is also implementing many schemes launched by the central and state governments.

RIMS is the only leading institute of its kind in the North Eastern region doing this kind of work and has to bear the burden of the care of large number of patients who are converging to this institution from all parts of the state and from many other states.

Last but not the least, a word may be mentioned about the activities and working style of Prof. A. Santa who had joined as Officiating Director of RIMS on 16th Aug. 2017. It is an open fact that after his joining a new scene has been seen in the environment of RIMS.

His frequent visit to the causality and hospital, interacting with the patients and patient parties, understanding how the patients are treated and patient care delivery system in the hospital and regular checking up of toilets and sanitation, are worth enough to be appreciated. We hope that this is the good beginning and let’s hope better administration, better healthcare system and better health education in the near future.

The authority of the institute under the leadership of Prof. A. Santa Singh, Director, RIMS, Imphal could be appreciated for understanding the pulse of the people. As long as the authority of the institute understand the hardship of the public, we, the public, must also learn to appreciate the good steps being taken up by the institute.

Time has come to encourage the authority of the institute and to give constructive suggestion instead of giving negative vibe to the media for publicity purposes.