Dimapur, January 5: Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR) Dimapur is one of the few hospitals the North East Region prides itself in. It was established with an aim to work towards transformation of the society by developing Christ centered leadership in health care and develop health professionals who can compassionately deliver quality health care.
Started in the year 2007, CIHSR- a joint venture of the government of Nagaland, Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA) New Delhi, and Emmanuel Medical College, Vellore was established to create innovative community health programs which would have considerable health impact in the northeast region, and also to create a centre of excellence in tertiary health care.
The concept of a Christian centric hospital was born when few God fearing doctors and friends from EHA and Vellore - Dr. Varghese Philip, Dr. Lionel Gnanaraj, Sam David and Dr. Vinod Shah shared their hearts desire to start a hospital that would take care of patients in the region and prevent them from coming all the way down to Vellore for treatment.
The concept seemed viable as there were many Christian North East students in various medical colleges of the country who took part in the major Evangelical Union (EU)/ Evangelical Medical Fellowship of India (EMFI) activities, who could possibly be roped in this centre.
After a meeting in January 2002, at CBCNEI, Guwahati involving three Christian states Viz. Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya, the concept was conveyed to the audience. Each state wanted the centre to be established in their respective state. After thoughtful deliberations, a team was sent to survey all possible states in the north east. Finally, Dimapur was selected for reasons such as good connectivity by road, air and rail, reasonably due to its central location and a supportive Christian government, and due to involvement of some key local people who were willing to work in the centre.
Right from its initial years, the centre did face its share of turbulent times, including a court case, which has been settled. The Centre eventually started its services on November 24, 2007, which is now marked as Thanksgiving Day.
CIHSR has achieved due credential for providing health care services with a human touch, affection and compassion, which many hospitals across the country lack. Today, the hospital is a 180 bedded and plans to increase its fold to a 500 bedded Centre. From three patients on its first day, the Centre today oversees a minimum of 200 patients in a day. The centre has eight full-fledged departments such as Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dermatology, Venerology, Leprology and Cosmetology, ENT, Dental, Medical Record, Laboratory, Radiology, Nursing, Medicine, with two tertiary departments notably Pediatric and Gastroenterology.
The centre is also much sought by patients from within the state and neighboring Assam, Manipur, and Mizoram states.
Keeping in line with the objective to develop Undergraduate and Post Graduate teaching Programs, CIHSR started the College of Nursing in the year 2011, which caters to the needs of not only Nagaland but also the rest of the North East. Incidentally, the College of Nursing, CIHSR is also the first Nursing College in the state of Nagaland.
Dr. Viu Meru admits that there are challenges that CIHSR faces even today. “The need for manpower is a great Challenge as we need people who would be able to work under Christian principles.” He shares that in the past many people came to join CIHSR, yet some have left, as other private and government hospitals pay them more. “That does not stop the work, we get people with a vision to work in a Christian hospital who are committed to deliver quality services to patients,” he adds.
The College of Nursing offers GNM and plans to start a B.Sc. Nursing followed by M.Sc. Nursing. The CIHSR has also recently signed a tripartite MoU with Government of Nagaland, and DoNER Ministry, in view to start Regional Institute of Paramedical Sciences by the next academic year. It will further include courses such as Diploma in Radio Diagnosis Technology and Diploma in Medical Record Technology.
The biggest challenge CIHSR faces today is paying well salaries to their staff without putting the burden on the patients. Dr. Viu notes, “Challenge is how to pay our staff well without increasing the fees so patients don’t suffer.”
Being a Christian centric place, the hospital activity starts each day with morning devotion by 7:30 at the Centre’s chapel. Staffs engaged in the wards have their own ward prayer. CIHSR also undertakes bible studies on a weekly basis. “Spiritual activities are carried out to help us stay strong in our spiritual life,” adds Dr. Viu Meru, Medical Superintendent.
An added advantage for young doctors is that CIHSR provides the right atmosphere to prepare them for higher studies. Junior doctors, as MBBS graduates are called, are made to work alongside senior doctors and are usually called to tackle any emergency situation arising any moment. There is sufficient coaching for junior doctors to help them crack their PG Entrance examinations. “We do our best to prepare them for entrance examination,” adds Dr. Viu Meru.
Glorious years of successes, trials and tribulations have passed by and CIHSR has grown from strength to strength, looking ahead to serve, nurture and transform the health care sector with Christian principles.
The story of CIHSR, hence forth will continue to be made known to future generations by the sacrifices from men and women of God, who dare to dream audaciously, live vigorously, work with conviction and are committed to each other and the vision of Varghese Philip and Lionel Gnanaraj.
