Minister of Health & Family Welfare, P. Paiwang Konyak, visited various locations in Mokokchung on November 20. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | November 20
Minister of Health & Family Welfare, P. Paiwang Konyak, visited various locations in Mokokchung on Wednesday as part of the first phase of his inspection tour. The visit focused on ensuring food and drug safety, reviewing healthcare infrastructure, and addressing public concerns.
As part of the tour, the Minister visited Mokokchung’s New Market to inspect the quality of fish and other food items sold in the market. He tested for the presence of formalin in fish and ensured food safety standards were met. Additionally, Konyak inspected two pharmacies to verify the presence of licensed pharmacists, check for banned drugs, and review the validity of their licenses.
The minister also inspected the under-construction Ayush Hospital in Chungtia village to assess the progress of the project.
Later, Konyak held a meeting with civil society representatives and staff of Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH). Representatives of Ao Senden raised concerns about delays in the first phase of IMDH’s up-gradation, the quality of construction, and the lack of replacements for four doctors transferred from the hospital.
IMDH up-gradation soon
In response to Ao Senden’s concerns, Konyak assured that the H&FW Department has approved Rs 3 crore for the completion of the A Block building at IMDH and promised its completion within a short timeframe. He addressed concerns about the quality of construction by stating that proper authorities would evaluate the workmanship and recommend measures to ensure the building’s structural strength, assuring that there was “nothing to worry about.”
He further announced the allocation of Rs 2 crores for the early completion of the Critical Care Unit and committed to improving water facilities for the nursing school hostel. Konyak emphasized that his tour was aimed at evaluating the performance of the health department, identifying lapses, and ensuring the timely completion of projects.
Urges public to remain vigilant on food quality
He also highlighted ongoing efforts by the Health Department to assess the quality of food and drugs in markets, including concerns about foreign food products lacking expiry dates and proper labeling. These items, he noted, pose health risks and negatively affect local entrepreneurs.
The Minister urged the public to remain vigilant about food quality and reiterated the importance of licensed pharmacists personally managing pharmacies.
Addressing manpower shortages, Konyak acknowledged the state’s shortage of over 100 doctors. He explained that a special recruitment drive for doctors and nurses who served during the COVID-19 pandemic is delayed due to a court case. “Once the court decides in our favor, we will have the special requirement drive, because we need to support them as they are the ones who stood with us during the pandemic,” he stated.
The Minister also expressed concern about the impending retirement of specialized doctors and proposed a two-cadre recruitment strategy to address the issue. He appealed for public understanding as the department works to meet the needs of all districts.
Konyak then held a closed-door meeting with the staff of IMDH and CMO. Later, when the Mokokchung Press Club requested a short press conference with the Minister, the request was declined, citing that the Minister was “very busy.”
The inspection tour, accompanied by Principal Secretary and Commissioner Secretary which began in Dimapur on November 19, reached Mokokchung on Wednesday. It will continue to Longleng, Tuensang, and Mon as part of the first phase.
