First ICU opens in Eastern Nagaland

[caption id="attachment_241918" align="aligncenter" width="565"] A view of the newly established Intensive Care Unit at Tuensang on Tuesday.[/caption] Eastern Mirror Desk Dimapur, April 2: Until today, the entire region of Eastern Nagaland—comprising five districts namely Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng and Noklak—did not have a single Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at any of its hospitals. Thanks to an initiative of the Tuensang Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI), a 4-bedded ICU was inaugurated at the District Hospital, Tuensang on April 2. The president of TCCI, L Dorothy told Eastern Mirror that it was a ‘dream come true’ for everyone in the region. She said that an ICU facility was not only needed for Tuensang but also for the rest of the region. According to Dorothy, after four months of hard work, commitment and help from people from all walks of life, the ICU has been established finally. “If there is good intention, the entire universe comes together to help,” she said. On September 30, 2018, the TCCI organised the ‘Save a Life’ charity show in Tuensang town in aid of the ICU project and was able to raise INR 7,15,448. “The ICU will not only be for the citizens of Tuensang but also for the rest of this region as the nearest best medical attention would be Mokokchung,” she had said then. Dorothy informed that the Assam Rifles had donated all the equipments for the ICU and hailed not only them but also the residents of Tuensang as the “real heroes” for coming together for a noble cause. She further informed that the facilities provided include four utility rooms, ICU cabins, 2-ton AC (two units), four ECG Infusion pumps, four suction apparatus, four patient monitors, defibrillator, ventilator and four oxygen generators with nebuliser. Officials from the department of Health and Family Welfare were also present at the inaugural function and extended all support towards running the unit. “The department has given the assurance of helping with whatever is necessary, and more nurses and doctors will be sent to assist the ICU,” informed Dorothy. Also in a statement issued on Tuesday, the TCCI president thanked the officials from the department of Health and Family Welfare; Dr. Moa, the Medical Superintendent at District Hospital, Tuensang; Dr. Punjung, the Chief Medical Officer at Tuensang; and all well-wishers and contributors who helped in completion of the project. She further expressed appreciation to the 7th Sector Assam Rifles and 40th Assam Rifles for contributing and assisting with the required state-of-the-art equipments for the ICU. “It takes a village to raise a child but in this case it’s not a child that is being raised but a long-needed ICU for a District Hospital, without which this project would not have been accomplished; they say that the AR are the friends of the hills people, today they can feel it not by words but by deeds,” she stated. She concluded by saying that the work is far from over, but what has been accomplished together will make a difference to hundreds of people’s lives. She encouraged all to “roll up their sleeves” and continue the journey with more dedication than ever. “The ICU is dedicated not only to Tuensang but to all people of Nagaland,” she maintained.