Kohima village opposes government’s bid to alter medical college project

Says conversion to PPP mode will mean cost incurred by the private party will be charged from patients

Dimapur, Oct. 6 (EMN): The state government’s alleged move to reallocate the project of upgrading the existing Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NKAK) into public private partnership (PPP) mode has invited sharp objection from the Kohima village council.
In a letter addressed to the Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare department, the council leaders stated objection to said attempt by the state government while wondering how the latter could “change its mind” after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of India to upgrade the NHAK to a government medical college.
The representation was made available to the local press on Friday. “It was learned that as per agreement, the central government has already released some of the funds for establishment of the college. In fact, even the first visit of medical council of India (MCI) has already taken place.
“If the government keeps on arbitrarily changing its decision and fails to adhere to the agreement reached, it will totally lose the trust of the public and the central government. A government medical college with modern amenities is the need for the hour for poor patients and villagers who cannot afford the services of private hospitals. Simply put, in PPP mode, the cost of capital investments spent plus interest by the private party will be charged from the patients,” it stated.
The council stated that it was objecting to the government’s decision to adopt the PPP mode for a project that was initially sanctioned as a government undertaking. “The council has agreed to part with their prime lands, residential areas, khetis, terrace fields etc., in exchange for a government medical college in the interest of all Nagas.
“The Kohima village council has never agreed to give away their prime lands to the government of Nagaland to set up medical college on PPP mode. Therefore, the government must implement the agreement with GoI in letter and spirit,” read the representation.