Chizokho Vero
Kohima | June 4
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today asserted that delivering basic healthcare to the people was one of the top-most priorities of the DAN government. Rio said the growth of a society cannot be possible unless its people are healthy. Inaugurating the new complex of the mental hospital here today, Rio said the government also gives equal importance for care of mental patients in the state.
Situated at Aradura, the new complex of the 25-bedded mental hospital was constructed under the financial support of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The 3-storied building will provide the much-needed rooms for OPD, administrative, diagnostic and treatment blocks and separate wards as well as some cabins for patients. The mental hospital of Kohima is the second of its kind in the north eastern states after Tezpur, Assam.
Rio said that if a person is healthy, he can reason, can decide and can contribute to the society. Urging the people to come forward and help the mental patients and bring them to a normal life, he said mental illness if treated on time will make them a normal person. He stressed on the need to spread awareness to the general public. “Early treatment is important,” he said. He advised the people not to look down upon them and said stigma should be removed. On the need to make efforts towards giving them comfortable life, he said support and care from NGOs and government is required. He stressed on the need to do good things to the less privileged and needy people in the state.
The chief minister appreciated the good environment of the complex and expressed optimism that patients’ condition would become better with medical care facilities. He congratulated the performance of the department of Health & Family Welfare and urged the doctors and nurses to continue to be dedicated and committed to the service of the patients and needy people.
Also speaking at the occasion, minister for Health & Family Welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu said that an asset has been created and hoped that the officers and staff will show their sincerity and dedication in delivering better healthcare to the patients. Nienu also appreciated the chief minister for showing his concern to the Medical department adding that the latter has never refused the department at any point of time.
