PHC Kwakta Faces Healthcare Crisis as Transferred Staff Fail to Report

Kwakta, March 18, 2025: The healthcare crisis at PHC Kwakta has deepened as two officially transferred healthcare staff—Smt. Maharabam Kamala Devi (Staff Nurse) and Mrs. Rajkumari Milan Devi (ANM)—have failed to report for duty, causing severe disruptions in essential medical services.

Official Transfers Ignored

As per the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, Smt. Maharabam Kamala Devi was transferred from PHC Phayeng to PHC Kwakta on October 10, 2024, while Mrs. Rajkumari Milan Devi was transferred from PHC Thanga to PHC Kwakta on March 4, 2025. Despite official orders and repeated directives, neither has joined their assigned post at PHC Kwakta.

This has left the hospital understaffed, raising serious concerns about the availability of healthcare services for the 30,000 residents in the area, including 2,000 displaced persons sheltered at Sericulture Kwakta due to the Meitei-Kuki conflict.

CMO’s Directives Ignored

Taking cognizance of the situation, Dr. L. Raichandra Singh, Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Bishnupur, issued a final directive on March 10, 2025, instructing the absent staff to report to duty by March 11, 2025. However, as of today, March 18, Rajkumari Milan Devi has not complied, nor has she provided any justification for her absence.

Following this, the CMO issued a memorandum on March 12, 2025, demanding a written explanation within five days, failing which strict disciplinary action would be initiated against her.

Public Outcry and Threat of Agitation

The Hospital Management Committee (HMC) of PHC Kwakta, led by Chairperson Mrs. Minarjan, has expressed strong dissatisfaction over the inaction of the transferred staff and urged the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, to take immediate action.

The HMC, along with local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), has issued a March 20, 2025 deadline for the staff to report to duty. If the deadline is not met, an agitation will be launched, including a potential shutdown of PHC Kwakta.

Authorities Under Pressure

The ongoing Meitei-Kuki conflict has already placed significant strain on healthcare services in Kwakta, making the absence of essential medical personnel even more critical. Local leaders have urged the state government and health authorities to intervene immediately before the situation escalates further.

With public health at stake, all eyes are now on the Directorate of Health Services, Manipur, and the state government to ensure the timely availability of healthcare personnel at PHC Kwakta.

(Reported by Ichel News Network)