DIMAPUR, APRIL 12 (MExN): The poor infrastructure that is housing the district hospital, Dimapur has been a topic of much concern over the past many years. Let alone the absence of state-of-the-art medical machinery, the scale dips to the negative when it comes to the most basic - sanitation and its requisite amenities. There is some hope in the horizon for the people of the district, in this aspect, if a disclosure made by the minister concerned is to take concrete shape.
Minister for Health & Family Welfare Kuzholuzo (Azo) Neinu disclosed on Tuesday, April 12 that repairs/upgradation of the existing infrastructure will begin, tentatively, by next year. Azo stated this to media persons prior to his departure for Australia today. Without being specific on the nature of work that will, or rather might, be taken up, he said: “upgradation work will begin next year”. “The present building has over lived its lifespan”, he acknowledged.
Azo was also asked on how his department is taking up the issue of ‘private practice’ by government doctors. “As far as service rule is concerned, it is not allowed…” he said, but fell short of giving a definite answer on actions taken or to be taken in this regard. “What they do on their off days, we don’t know”, he said on a rather defensive tone, while assuring that under the RoP rules, 2010, there is a strict provision which states that whosoever is caught will be penalised.
On the proposed project for setting up of a medical college in Dimapur, he said that it depends on the discretion of the DoNER Ministry. Azo, nevertheless, added that he will be taking up the matter with the people concerned in New Delhi, while on his way to Australia.
‘Department will not cow down to any threats or intimidation’
Azo also came down strongly on the April 8 incidents, wherein a senior medical officer of the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare was subject to threat and intimidation by armed miscreants. “Everything has a limit; it has gone beyond the limit… Pointing a gun at a medical practitioner is a serious matter.” Without justifying the step taken by the department to close down the directorate, he reasoned that the health department is a humanitarian unit with the sole objective of looking after health of the people. “These demands should not be imposed on the department.” The department will not cow down to any threats or intimidation”, was Azo’s firm assertion.
Minister for Health & Family Welfare Kuzholuzo (Azo) Neinu disclosed on Tuesday, April 12 that repairs/upgradation of the existing infrastructure will begin, tentatively, by next year. Azo stated this to media persons prior to his departure for Australia today. Without being specific on the nature of work that will, or rather might, be taken up, he said: “upgradation work will begin next year”. “The present building has over lived its lifespan”, he acknowledged.
Azo was also asked on how his department is taking up the issue of ‘private practice’ by government doctors. “As far as service rule is concerned, it is not allowed…” he said, but fell short of giving a definite answer on actions taken or to be taken in this regard. “What they do on their off days, we don’t know”, he said on a rather defensive tone, while assuring that under the RoP rules, 2010, there is a strict provision which states that whosoever is caught will be penalised.
On the proposed project for setting up of a medical college in Dimapur, he said that it depends on the discretion of the DoNER Ministry. Azo, nevertheless, added that he will be taking up the matter with the people concerned in New Delhi, while on his way to Australia.
‘Department will not cow down to any threats or intimidation’
Azo also came down strongly on the April 8 incidents, wherein a senior medical officer of the Directorate of Health & Family Welfare was subject to threat and intimidation by armed miscreants. “Everything has a limit; it has gone beyond the limit… Pointing a gun at a medical practitioner is a serious matter.” Without justifying the step taken by the department to close down the directorate, he reasoned that the health department is a humanitarian unit with the sole objective of looking after health of the people. “These demands should not be imposed on the department.” The department will not cow down to any threats or intimidation”, was Azo’s firm assertion.
Legislators Forum on HIV & AIDS on a study tour to Australia
DIMAPUR, APRIL 12 (MExN): Minister for Health & Family Welfare Kuzholuzo (Azo) Neinu left for Australia, April 12 on a study tour. The health minister is heading a five member team of the Nagaland Legislators Forum on HIV & AIDS (NLFA). Deputy Speaker, Ralanthung Yanthan; MLA & chairman NKVIB, Dr. Nicky Kire; MLA Joshua Sumi; and the state coordinator of the NLFA, Dr Vinito Chishi are the other team members.
Interacting with media persons at his residence today, prior to the departure, Azo said that the team is making the trip on the invite of the Australian Consulate. They will be visiting Sydney and Melbourne. Queried on the purpose of the trip, Azo said that a team from the Australian Government Overseas Aid Program (Aus AID) had visited the state on December last year. “They felt that we (NLFA) are doing a good job” as far as work relating to fighting HIV & AIDS is concerned and the result it has born, Azo said. “They want us to share our experiences and also want us to learn how they are dealing with HIV & AIDS in their country.” He added that Nagaland was the first in the country to have such a forum and other states have followed suit.
The decline in the HIV prevalence rate in the state, which currently stands at 0.78 percent from 1.02 percent 2-3 years back, was the result of the work committed by the NSACS, the NGOs, church based organizations and other forums put together, he said. The team will return on April 25.
Interacting with media persons at his residence today, prior to the departure, Azo said that the team is making the trip on the invite of the Australian Consulate. They will be visiting Sydney and Melbourne. Queried on the purpose of the trip, Azo said that a team from the Australian Government Overseas Aid Program (Aus AID) had visited the state on December last year. “They felt that we (NLFA) are doing a good job” as far as work relating to fighting HIV & AIDS is concerned and the result it has born, Azo said. “They want us to share our experiences and also want us to learn how they are dealing with HIV & AIDS in their country.” He added that Nagaland was the first in the country to have such a forum and other states have followed suit.
The decline in the HIV prevalence rate in the state, which currently stands at 0.78 percent from 1.02 percent 2-3 years back, was the result of the work committed by the NSACS, the NGOs, church based organizations and other forums put together, he said. The team will return on April 25.
