Rio lays foundation stone of Nagaland Medical College

Correspondent
Kohima, March 3

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today laid the foundation stone of the first ever Nagaland Medical College (NMC) and Tertiary Cancer Care Centre (TCCC) Kohima located at Phriebagie, Pfuchatsumia Khel of Kohima village.The college will come up on 145 acres of land at a projected cost of Rs 189 crore while the Cancer Hospital will be built at a cost Rs 49 crore.
The hospital will have 200 beds while the college will have intake capacity of 100 MBBS students, out of which 45 seats would be reserved for Nagaland.
The funding pattern will be 90:10 by the Central and State government.
Addressing the mammoth gathering, Rio said proudly stated the road to the first Medical College for Nagaland has been a long one, but with the laying of the foundation stone, the long cherished dream of the Naga people to have our own Medical College has become a reality.
He acknowledged the government of India for the gift (NMC) to the people of Nagaland on the 50th year of statehood. He, however, stated that there is yet a long journey to be completed before we can inaugurate the medical college as there are manifold challenges ahead for us.
Rio expressed that the project has to be implemented keeping in mind the interest of the poor patients, on a no profit no loss basis, and without cost and time overrun.
He also placed on record the State government’s appreciation to President Pranab Mukherjee, Governor Dr Ashwani Kumar, Minister for Health & Family Welfare Imkong L Imchen for their initiatives and efforts in pursuing the cause of the medical college and Cancer Hospital in the State.
Maintaining that for any progress and development to take place, land is the first requirement, Rio expressed happiness that the people of Kohima village, particularly P. Khel, agreed to give the prime land for the purpose of setting up NMC at a reasonable price. He recalled that in 1980s, the Centre had granted establishment of Regional Medical College in Nagaland but due to land disputes it was shifted to Manipur.
He, therefore, said, “We nagas have to be broad minded and accommodative for the general interest instead of quarrelling for petty issues.”
Maintaining that during the last few years the Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) has improved its performance considerably, Rio said important health care indicator like the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has been brought down from 27 in 2009 to 18 in 2012.
He said this indicates the improvement of socio-economic status, availability, accessibility and effectiveness of the health care services in the State.
Rio also said as per a survey conducted by India Today for the year 2013, Nagaland has been adjudged as having the best health care delivery amongst the small category states.
He further took the opportunity to announce that the World Bank has approved a 60 million US dollar project called the “Nagaland Multi Sectoral Health Initiative” for improvement of the health sector in the State.
Rio expressed confidence that Nagaland will make further progress in the days to come in health delivery.
Nevertheless, Rio said at present, the health care delivery system in Nagaland is handicapped by lack of medical college and other specialized institutions at tertiary level. As a result, thousands of patients are being referred outsides the State for necessary medical investigation and treatment, he said adding that State government spend around Rs. 23 crore during 2011-2012 alone on account of medical re-imbursement, attendance, travel and lodging etc. Also, many poor patients do not have the resources to avail expensive treatment facilities outside the state, he said.
Expressing that a medical college for the State has been a long felt need, he said “the first concrete step towards this was taken with the signing of an MOU with CMC, Vellore and Emmanuel Hospital Association by the State Government in January 2005.
Thereafter, concerted efforts were made to obtain funds for the proposed medical college. A DPR (detail project report) for the purpose was prepared, and submitted in 2012 to the Ministry of Health, GOI for setting up a medical college in the referral hospital, which is now known as CIHSR, Dimapur.
He said while this proposal is being actively pursued by the State Government, the present Medical College has come up under a new scheme of the Government of India called “Up-gradation of District Hospitals to Medical College”.
The important condition under this new scheme is that the hospital should have more than 200 beds, and should be a government hospital, he recalled adding that at present, Kohima District Hospital, NHAK is the only hospital in the State to fulfill the criteria.
Further, Rio urged the HFW Department to work hard and see that the TCCC project is implemented at the earliest time for the benefit of the cancer patients.
Meanwhile, Minister for HFW Imkong L. Imchen, conveying the words of gratitude to Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for approving the NMC, said during their meeting in Delhi Azad also said the Centre has approved the much needed specialized hospital for Cancer patients Tertiary Cancer Care Centre (TCCC) for Nagaland, which will be attached to NMC.
He said a one-time financial assistance of Rs 49 crore will be given by the Centre as its share of 90 percent and the State share will be 10 percent.
Brief introduction of the Medical College was presented by Commissioner and Secretary HFW Sentiyanger Imchen. Kohima Village Council chairman Neivor Rutsa, in his speech, asserted that Kohima village would extend full support and cooperation in making the NMC and TCCC a reality.
Chief Secretary Banuo Z. Jamir chaired the programme while Ameu Üsuo & Choir presented welcome song.
Speaker Chotisuh Sazo, host of cabinet ministers, legislators, tribal organizations, students’ bodies, NGOs and civil societies attended the momentous occasion.