Morung Express News
February 11
Dimapur: With the inauguration of the Zion Hospital and Research Center (ZHRC), February 11 at Purana Bazaar today by the Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio, the people of Nagaland can now avail not only state-of-art medical facilities and ‘ethical professional services’ but also treatment and consultations at affordable rates.
The dream for a rank medical centre once nonexistent in the NE state of Nagaland was conceived circa 1998 when a group of philanthropist doctors of various specializations from the Bethel Medical Research Society Dimapur and well-know businessman and Philanthropist Yashitsungba Ao took to float a venture that would not only provide medical facilities of class but also manageable and affordable charge for treatment. The group than registered as a society in 1998 and after a trial of various hurdles both foreseen and unforeseen, the foundation stone to mark the commencement of construction works was laid on March 2004. OPD services became operational in December 5, 2005.
“The idea behind the health centre was to provide quality health care at affordable prices and also be an alternative to Nagas going outside the state and abroad to avail medical treatment. The prices are moderate” Dr R Kikon, Managing Director said adding that the ZHRC would not deny basic life-saving medical care just because of patients’ financial constraints. The ZHRC boasts of a total of 16 specialities including 5 super-specialities. Dr Daili Athiko, the first Naga Clinical Cardiologist also shared the same view. “This Center will be an option for those who cannot go out for treatment or afford high medical treatment. It will also be a sort of referral hospital” he said.
“We shall also strive to make this centre a recognized institute for training of MBBS Doctors for award of Diplomate National Board which is equivalent to the MD/MS degree” according to Dr R Kikon. He said that the Centre was more than willing to accommodate qualified local medical doctors and would soon be offering post graduate courses.
“Now I can come here for treatment without going outside. It’s impressive” marveled Judson Rungsung at the new centre so as Nikki Haralu, former Ambassador to Panama exclaimed “it’s wonderful! It’s a blessing for the Naga people. Maybe I don’t have to go outside if need be!”
The super specialities are Pediatric surgery, Gastroenterology, Cardiology, Neurology (visiting) and Endocrinology & Diabetology (visiting) while the other specialties are General surgery, general medicine, Dermatology, ENT, Gynaecology, Pediatrics, Physical medicine and Rehabilitation, Dentistry, Anesthesiology and Critical care, Radiodiagnosis and Pathology. This makes the ZHRC second only to the Naga Hospital Kohima in terms of numbers of specialists available in a single medical centre.
Full-time specialists will be manning 12 while the rest will be visiting consultants. The ZHRC also boasts of a whole range of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Endoscopic procedures including a video-Endoscopy as well as a fully equipped Clinico-Pathological Laboratory to carry out routine and specialized investigations. Apart from that it also has a fully functional Cardiac Laboratory with ECHO, TMT which is the first of its kind in the state of Nagaland. The Centre is also equipped with operation theatres, a 6-bedded ICU, a full-fledged Radiology Department with multi-slice spiral CT scan, IITV, Doppler Ultrasound and a fully-equipped air-conditioned Labour room. The total bed-strength at present is 75.
The ZHRC also envisages Rural Medical Units, Mobile Rural Units, Old Age Day Care Centre and a Detoxification and Rehabilitation Centre. While the needful facilities are provided amply for the moment, the ZHRC desires networking with reputed research institutes for carrying out scientific studies on diseases prevalent in the State. Dr Mhabemo Ovung said that HIV/AIDS as a vital component of interest in the centre would be given much importance considering the high incidence of HIV/AIDS cases in Nagaland. Also according to Along Aier, Board Member, if currently proposed plans to create Mobile Medical Units take off, the centre will also reach out to the rural populace. “We are envisioning Mobile hospital units to go into areas where there are no medical health care” he said. Dr Tali Longkumer, one of ZHRC’s consultants added that apart from Mobile units more specialities and departments would be added soon. He also informed that it would be made a protocol for tests for ante-natal and HIV/AIDS cases.
