Students seek urgent deployment of healthcare staff in Kiphire

DIMAPUR — Flagging a health crisis in Kiphire, the United Sangtam Students’ Conference (USSC) has written to the state Health department seeking immediate deployment of essential healthcare staff at District Hospital Kiphire.

In a letter addressed to the principal director of Health and Family Welfare, the union informed that the “acute shortage of healthcare personnel” at the district hospital is severely impacting the delivery of essential medical services to the community—besides placing overwhelming pressure on the existing staff, leading to compromised patient care.

According to the USSC, the hospital needs an Assistant Nursing Superintendent to oversee nursing operations, manage workload distribution, and ensure the highest standards of patient care.

“Currently, the hospital is functioning with only one Nursing Sister. At least three additional Nursing Sisters are needed to handle the increasing patient volume and ensure consistent, quality care. The absence of an OT Sister is disrupting the smooth conduct of surgical procedures. An immediate appointment is required,” it stated.

Further, the hospital urgently requires an anaesthesiologist to support surgical operations and provide necessary anaesthesia care, it informed. The transfer of the only surgeon to Tuensang has also left “a critical gap” in the surgical department, needing urgent replacement, the union stated.

“A significant deficit in staff nurses is compromising timely patient management, especially in critical and emergency care units,” it added.

Absence of these essential healthcare professionals has created a crisis, severely hampering the hospital’s ability to provide adequate medical care, the USSC stated. “We sincerely request your prompt action to address these critical staffing needs,” it added.

Also read: Dimapur Naga Students’ Union renews demand for relocation of health centre from GMS Midland