Health scerio in Assam discussed on AMSA Day

From a Correspondent

Doomdooma, Nov 7: Along with the rest of Assam, the Assam Medical Service Association (AMSA), Tinsukia district unit observed AMSA Day at Doomdooma on Monday with a day-long programme. The programme got under way with hoisting of flag at Doomdooma FRU in the morning. Later, a public meeting was held at Doomdooma Press Club with Joint Director of Health Services, Tinsukia district, Dr Altaf Ahmed in the chair. Dr Prakash Gupta, secretary, AMSA, Tinsukia unit, explained the objectives of the meeting while the president, AMSA, Tinsukia unit, Dr Ashma Ghazvi welcomed the guests.

 The meeting felicitated senior/retired AMSA members Dr Bijay Chamua and Dr Dipanjali Phukan Barkataki. An open discussion was held on ‘Health Reforms in Assam’ where two appointed speakers, mely Dr NC Mahanta, Superintendent, Tinsukia Civil Hospital, and ophthalmologist Dr GS Gogoi of the same hospital deliberated on the subject.

 In his speech, Dr Mahanta said that the doctor-patient ratio in Assam was 1: 1000 against all-India ratio 1: 2000, whereas as per World Health Organisation (WHO) standard it should be 1: 1, 000 (one doctor against a population of 1,000). This speaks volume about the present health status in Assam.

 On the alleged deteriorating doctor-patient relationship, Dr Mahanta said the occurrence of such incidents should not be more than 5 to 10 per cent. It is high time the government comes up with appropriate measures to tide over the situation, he opined.

 The meeting was also addressed by Dr Jayanta Bhattacharjee, jourlist Dhiren Deka and Shima Chaudhary, Principal, Hoonlalal HS School. In his address, Joint Director of Health Services, Tinsukia, Dr A Ahmed pointed out that the Health Department had to carry out different programmes for providing healthcare facilities to the people.