Dimapur, August 4 (MExN): A formal ceremony marking the partnership of the Nagaland department of Health & Family Welfare and the Medecine Sans Frontier (MSF or Doctors without Borders) for the management of Mon District Hospital was held in Mon today.
The program underscored the need for a change in the Nagas’ attitude to work culture which was attributed to be the source of most problems in the state. Talking about the commitment and sacrifices shown by the Doctors without Borders team in coming to a far-flung land like Mon, chief guest, Minister for Forest MC Konyak compared it to the attitude of Nagas. “Many of the Naga people do not want to serve in other parts of our country” he said. Nagas are mostly happy to remain confined in the state and hometown, or Dimapur, Mokokchung and Kohima, he claimed. Konyak called upon the people to think of the sacrifice made by the Doctors without Borders. He also appealed to the Humanitarian organization to fill the gaps areas where the government was unable to reach or cover.
Also, guest of honour Minister for School Education Nyeiwang Konyak, expressed gratitude to the department of Health & Family Welfare for their commitment in bringing this first-of-its-kind initiative to Mon. Elucidating the importance of good health, Nyeiwang said all the “health determinants can only be achieved by putting health at the centre of school and political agenda and collaboration of all sectors involved in the development process through meaningful involvement of community in the planning, implementation and maintenance.” The government and other organizations had already provided many development schemes and projects to the people but the failure of these schemes was due to the lack of ownership and callous attitude towards community property, he said. He called on the people to revitalize the ‘good qualities’ of the Naga forefathers and actively participate in the development process.
Giving an overview of the partnership, the Commissioner & Secretary, for Health & Family Welfare Menukhol John said that the ‘dream statement’ of the department in partnering with the Doctors without Borders was to provide accessible, user-friendly service to the people of Mon. He said that the partnership was a new intervention and its success depends solely on the commitment of the people involved. He especially cautioned that there would be some ‘adjustment problems’ in the beginning due to the difference in the work culture of government and NGO sectors. However, he expressed confidence that the project would work with a little commitment.
Head of Mission of MSF-India Pierangelo Gandini gave a brief overview of the organization saying that the MSF specialized in conflict, emergencies and outbreaks. He said that the MSF does not go for development and long-term commitments but work among vulnerable people.
Gandini said Mon was chosen after a year of study during which the organization saw the lack of basic medical care which was unacceptable to them as a medical humanitarian. The MSF is committed to providing basic service so that at least minor procedures can be performed in the district hospital besides helping provide materials medicines, basic equipment and services of its volunteers. The Head of Mission also said that MSF would also lend its support during emergencies like flood or earthquake, not only in Mon but to entire Nagaland.
Deputy Commissioner of Mon, Dinesh Kumar also called on the medical personnel to become more sincere saying that time has come to “change ourselves”. He expressed confidence that the partnership model would work successfully and Mon District Hospital would become a ‘model hospital’ for the rest of Nagaland.
.jpg)
