Attempt to convert IMDH into Covid-19 hospital finds resistance in Mokokchung

Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, March 31 (EMN): Mokokchung has already converted its TB hospital exclusively for Covid-19; however, a new order from the department of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday has identified Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH) as Covid-19 hospital.

The order from the department has invited criticism from various quarters as IMHD caters to the medical care of those below poverty line, who do not have AB-PMJAY beneficiary cards.

The order from the department had directed that no new patients would be admitted to IMDH with effect from April 6 until further notice.

The existing in-patients requiring further hospitalisation would be shifted to Lenjem Hospital, provided they can be safely moved, it stated.

The order further read that new patients seeking emergency healthcare at IMDH would be diverted to Lenjem Hospital, adding only emergency cases would be entertained. Medical expenditure for in-patients who are shifted or new emergency patients who are referred would be worked out with the hospital concerned, it said.

Any patient shifted or referred by IMDH to Lenjem Hospital would carry an authorisation order from MS, IMDH and free benefit would be provided to AB-PMJAY beneficiaries as per guideline, the order stated.

The above order might sound like a better plan from the department to curb the spread of the highly contagious virus in the district but IMDH, which is under construction, has demolished more than half of its building and currently houses less than 40 beds. Whereas, the newly converted district Covid-19 hospital has the capacity to accommodate 50 patients.

IMDH, on a normal day attends to more than 200 outdoor patients; the hospital has currently more than 20 patients, some of whom are in serious condition, a source said.

The two private hospitals in Mokokchung have only one doctor each and if IMDH completely closes down, and the specialist and rest of the human resource are roped in to Covid-19 hospital, than it would will be difficult for the patients who come to IMDH for treatment, said the source.

Apart from other medical treatments, IMDH also looks after dialysis patients who come from economically weaker families and cannot afford the fees in private hospitals.

The president of Ao Senden, Chubawati said that it was “too early on the part of the department to convert IMDH into Covid-19 hospital; it would be sheer negligence and discrimination for the general patients. The president of Ao Students’ Conference, Nungdokyanger Pongener also said that patients without AB-PMJAY beneficiary cards would suffer more because the district hospital was the only one to cater to their healthcare needs.