Al Ngullie
Dimapur | March 10
All the districts of Nagaland will now have fully-equipped Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) supplemented by medical officers and nursing personnel, by the end of this month, March. Consonant to this project, hectic projects are being undertaken to up-grade District Civil Hospitals with particular reference to interior districts of the state.
Also, even while informing of the welcome news of this new health facility – one of the three in the north east region – Nagaland Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr TM Lotha also assured to initiate stern action against truant medical officers who oftentimes prove more than a source of criticism from the people, especially from Phek, Mon and Tuensang districts.
The estimate project account for the Medical Mobile units and supplementing vehicles was undertaken with around Rupees 5 Crores, and is a centrally-sponsored undertaking, the health minister informed. The vehicles have already been ordered for service to commence life-saving forays to the 11 districts of Nagaland, with rural villages being the particular target. A number of the units have already been received, including light ambulances, with the project to launch as soon as the remaining vehicles arrive. The inauguration for it is expected by the end of this month.
The medical mobile units are substantially equipped with basic operational equipments and medical-mechanic supplements to even conduct minor operations, Minister Dr TM Lotha informed. The vehicles – compact and receptive to accessing even difficult areas – will also cover areas which do not fall under the purview of District Civil Hospitals.
Each Mobile Medical Unit will comprise of an ambulance, supplementing vehicles (currently proposed to be one or two) and would be manned by a doctor or two, and nurses. And of course, all necessary motor-friendly medical gizmos. “The mobile units were introduced to maximize medical and healthcare benefits to the people, especially those from interior areas,” Dr TM Lotha said and assured more initiatives consonant with rural healthcare, for the people.
On the medical administration front, Dr TM Lotha assured stern action against medical officers and particularly doctors who neglect their duties. He made a special reference to absentee MOs in outpost areas like Wokha, Phek, Tuensang and Mon. “I have directed the Principal Director (of State Health Services) to check all cases and take action against them. “We have posted adequate doctors but I don’t know why they are always absent or are on leave” Dr TM Lotha wondered. While acknowledging their right to leave-grant, the health chief assured all possible effort to curb absenteeism. “We are doing our best” he said.
On his efforts to streamline health services in the state, Dr Lotha said PHCs and district hospitals are being upgraded with all needful medical equipments such as X-Ray, CAT scan, ultrasound and technicians as well. PHCs and Regional Diagnostic Centers are under his special attention, he assured. “We need a lot of up-gradation. The district hospitals will be strengthened. However, there is shortage of manpower due to the standing government ban on creation of new posts. But we are doing our best” Dr TM Lotha said.
Morung Express News
