Mon dist hospital handed back to H&FW dept

EMN DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 26 THE Mon District Hospital which was under the custody of the Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) since 2010 was handed over to Health & Family Welfare department at the end of four years of yeoman service to the people of Mon district. The hospital was handed over at a ceremony attended by H&FW Minister of Imkong L Imchen as the chief guest at the hospital compound today. Imchen expressed gratitude to the MSF for uplifting the hospital to a healthy, functioning health care system and also praised the organisation for ushering in the ethics of work culture, dignity of labour. He was hopeful that this will be emulated in other parts of the State to bring in social changes. To keep up the good work started by MSF, Imchen appealed to the local doctors and officers to continue performing their duties with willingness. He said only sincerity will ensure good service and provide good health care. Emphasizing on collective responsibility, the minister said doctors and nurses alone cannot change the scenario of the hospital without the collective responsibility and efforts of the civil society. He urged the concerned citizens of the district to support and assist the hospital authorities to cater to the needs of the people. Referring to the memorandum of the Konyak Union (KU), Imkong announced that the hospital has been up graded to 100-bed from a 50-bed one. Infrastructure development has been initiated and civil work would commence soon so that wishes of the people is fulfilled, he added. Principal Director, H&FW, Dr. Nephie Kire also appreciated the MSF for its sense of devotion to duty and profession. He said the quality of health care service had improved considerably. Dr. Kire also observed that while MSF had fulfilled its obligation by adhering to the MoU/agreement, the department had failed to do like wise. He sighted shortage of manpower in different categories as an obstacle in this endeavour and uged the staff to continue the work of the MSF in future. DC Mon Angau I Thou thanked the MSF and said MSF lived and served the people with good medical care. Movement with impartiality, neutrality and independence besides work culture are the secret force behind their achievement, she stated. The DC also apprised the minister and the department concern ed about urgent need of manpower, flats/quarters for staff and management of the hospital in infrastructure development after MSF to sustain the hospital. The MSF Country Director attributed the success of the MSF to ‘team work’. He said 700 babies were delivered while 300 TB patients were tested and treated in the hospital after creating separate ward for the women & Child care and chest ward for TB patients. He also appealed for urgent need of manpower to sustain the hospital. Konyak Union president Manlip thanked the MSF and the government of Nagaland for providing a distinct privilege to the people of Mon and said the good work rendered by the MSF will always be remembered by the people of the district. He also submitted a four-point memorandums to the minister for immediate post creation of staff for the 100-bed civil hospital as per with IPHS, upgradation of infrastructures to be mobilized at the earliest possible in one go but not phase wise, starting of academic session as soon as possible as infrastructure development for nursing institution is nearing completion and construction of flat-type quarters for doctors and nurses. Other highlights of the day included awarding Recognition Award to the staff by MSF PMR & Field Co. Felicitation and special numbers by the staff of the hospital. As a symbolic gesture of a handover, thre keys were given separately to the minister, KU president and Medical Superintendent, Civil hospital, Mon.