Nagaland gets its first histopathology laboratory at NHAK

KOHIMA — In a major boost to the healthcare facilities in the state, the first histopathology unit in Nagaland was inaugurated at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) under corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The vice chairman of NITI Aayog, Suman Kumar Bery, who is currently in the state, inaugurated the new facility on Tuesday. It was funded by Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL).

The NRL contributed INR 1,28,74,000 for procuring the histopathology equipment, while Doctors For You (DFY), the executing agency of the CSR, bridge-funded approximately INR 40 lakh for supporting the training of manpower and additional resources required.

The unit is expected to address critical health challenges, including early cancer detection, biopsy, etc., the diagnosis of which was done elsewhere before.

Speaking of the newly launched facility, Bery lauded the concerted effort of individuals and departments for coming together and making a difference. He added that one of the roles of NITI Aayog is to share best practices across the states.

Joint secretary of IDAN, Reny Wilfred, informed that it had created a state priority project and that the department of Health and Family Welfare had submitted a list of 24 items, including the histopathology laboratory.

IDAN is also the facilitator of CSR projects in Nagaland.

Dr. Kajal Saikia, chief general manager of NRL, assured that there would be many more such projects, not only from NRL but also from other corporate houses, for the Nagaland state in the coming years.

Commissioner and secretary of Health and Family Welfare, V Kezo, pointed out on the occasion that the people of the state used to experience unthinkable hardships for treatment outside the state, incurring huge financial burdens, and expressed hope that the laboratory will benefit tens of thousands of patients.

MoU signed to upgrade nursing school in Mokokchung

Meanwhile, a memorandum of understanding between Doctors For You and the Department of Health and Family Welfare, facilitated by IDAN, was also signed during the inaugural programme.

It included upgrading the general nursing and midwifery (GNM) school in Mokokchung into a B.Sc. nursing college and making it a model institute for nursing education in the Northeast. It would be for a period of 15 years and then handed over to the state government.

Upon upgrading, the existing GNM school will accommodate up to 60 seats operating under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The president of DFY, Dr. Rajat Jain, mentioned on the occasion that the organisation is establishing a CT scan facility at NHAK, slated for imminent inauguration. Plans to conduct NCD screening programmes in Kohima and Mokokchung are also underway.