Dignitaries who attended the 24th general conference of the NMSA on July 8. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 8
With Nagaland’s first Medical College in Kohima yet to see the light of day since its foundation stone was laid in 2014, Deputy Commissioner Kohima, Shanavas C remarked “we might be the only state in the country that doesn’t have a medical college.”
Speaking at the 24th general conference of NMSA with the theme ‘Learn to serve humanity’ at the ATI Complex, Kohima on July 8, he viewed that in actuality, the talk of a medical college should have started years back and not after 2010.
With snail pace progress of the work, Shanavas observed “hopefully it should be completed soon, but the problem in our society in Nagaland is that we have different priorities,” while asserting that “this kind of work should go in a very fast track manner” to benefit the students as well as the people of the state.
Nonetheless, he expressed hope that the department would prioritise and make the medical college a reality at the earliest.
He also released the Association’s magazine titled ‘ASCLEPIUS.’
Shortage of doctors
Referring to the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said “we actually understood the importance of doctors, nurses and all medical professionals.”
Someone who has been in the COVID war room during the peak of the pandemic, Shanavas said “we struggled a lot as the state doesn’t have good medical equipments, health infrastructures, insufficient doctors etc.”
He also pointed out that even now there are hospitals, CHCs, PHCs without doctors and stressed on the need for more professional doctors.
Who is a good doctor?
Terming the medical profession as “a beautiful profession with an element of respect,” Shanavas reminded the future doctors that “along with respect comes huge responsibility throughout your life.”
To be a good doctor, Shanavas pointed out that one must adapt to the constant changes by updating one’s knowledge to give best services to the people. He urged them to be always compassionate to their patients.
He hoped that more youngsters from the state would develop their interest for the medical profession, study in their own state and serve their own people.
Students encouraged for pre-clinical studies
With two medical colleges coming up in the state, Dr Visasieu Kire, Director (Health) H&FW encouraged the students to go for pre-clinical studies in order to be a part of the medical colleges as faculty.
Reminding them of the shortage of specialists in district hospitals according to the Indian Public Health Standards 2012, Dr Kire said “the requirement for specialists has increased with the establishment of two medical colleges.”
Nagaland has 776 health units including district hospitals, CHCs, PHCs and sub-centres, TB & Chest disease hospital and state mental institute with only 196 specialists (regular in-service) serving in various clinical and managerial posts.
Expressing concern on the lack of enough man-power in pre-clinical studies, Dr Kire informed that Kohima Medical College alone will require 88 faculty members in the first year. Subsequently, she further stated that in the first renewal, the medical college will require 124 faculty members, 134 in the second renewal and 151 each in the third, fourth and fifth renewal.
Dream of a quality medical education centre
Pointing out that Nagaland is far behind in health care as compared to neighbouring states, Kuveluzo Chuzo, President, Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) said “it has been an immense source of happiness for young medicos and practising doctors’ when headway was made for establishing a medical college in the state.”
However, with snail pace progress of the construction works after all these years, Chuzo said “this gap must be bridged” and appealed for completion of the college with urgency and on priority.
Chuzo remarked, “we dream and hope of a quality medical education centre for our people.”
He further appealed that Naga medical professionals be given priority when it comes to employment.
He asserted on the need for more post creation of MBBS and BDS graduates and a Dental surgeon post in every PHC and district hospital.
Chuzho also vouched for “free, fair and equal opportunity” for all medical graduates for the medical officer recruitment advertised via NPSC exams.
Observing that the eligibility criteria and counselling system followed thus far has suffered several setbacks the medical students urged the concerned authorities and leaders to look into the matter to prevent recurring of such incidences in the future.
The students also appealed for establishment of a medical library to expand and refresh the knowledge of medical professionals with the latest changes and advancements in medical science.
