Japanese agency in process of finalising medical college project in Nagaland

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) survey team conducted a daylong seminar on preparatory survey of Nagaland Medical College Hospital Development Project at Hotel Vivor in Kohima on Friday.

Speaking at the workshop, team leader of JICA Survey Team, Keiko Nagai, said the preparatory survey was started in September 2022 and the third and final report will be submitted in April this year.

‘By May or June 2023, JICA will send for finalisation of the project design and the final report will be submitted in September, after which the agreement between government of Nagaland and JICA will be signed,’ she said.

It may be mentioned that the JICA is planning to set up a 400-bedded teaching hospital in Kohima under its Rolling Plan with an aim to establish a tertiary level medical service delivery system in the state by developing medical college hospital and enhancing the healthcare human resource development systems through the clinical-based education. The minister of Health and Family Welfare, S Pangnyu Phom, had in 2021 updated about the project.

Nagai said during the seminar that she believed the project will contribute to the universal health coverage in Nagaland.

While highlighting the key elements needed to achieve universal health coverage, she said they would introduce some Japanese technology and experience for efficiency of the project and focus on the medical human resource development.

Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Y Kikheto Sema, said that Nagaland does not have a single medical college, which is the burning desire of the people, even after 60 years of statehood.

Due to lack of resources, the state is depending on Central government’s assistance via grant and loan, he said while thanking the JICA for coming forward to set up a 400-bedded hospital in the state. He expressed hope that the project will be fulfilled.

Kikheto Sema went on to inform that the first project with JICA was initiated in 2015 and an amount of INR 115 crore had been availed till 2019, out of the total estimated assistance of INR 533 crore. The project will end on March 31, 2027.