Ao Students’ Conference and Ongpangkong Students’ Conference rally behind Chungtia Students’ Union over AYUSH hospital construction

MOKOKCHUNG — Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) and the Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) have expressed solidarity with the Chungtia Students’ Union (CSU) in addressing the prolonged delay and substandard construction of the 50-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital in Sabangya under Mokokchung district.

In separate press releases issued on September 5 and 4 respectively, the two organisations have condemned the project’s sluggish progress and questionable workmanship, urging immediate action to ensure public safety and accountability.

AKM and OKM have lauded CSU’s diligent monitoring of the project, which has revealed significant irregularities despite a sanctioned budget of INR 442.91 lakh and work orders issued over six years ago.

Also read: Ao Lanur Telongjem demands accountability in Sabangya Integrated AYUSH Hospital construction

“With only 65% completion reported, observable deficiencies in workmanship have raised serious concerns about the hospital’s structural integrity and potential risks to the community,” they stated.

AKM, in its statement, expressed deep concern over the project’s status, noting that the six-year delay and substandard work reflected gross negligence by the contractor and the Health and Family Welfare Department.

AKM president, Lanutoshi Aier, and the general secretary, Satemmongba, highlighted the hospital’s critical role in enhancing healthcare accessibility for Mokokchung and beyond, warning that compromised quality threatens public safety and community trust.

AKM has strongly supported the CSU’s call for a technical inspection by qualified experts, urging strict accountability and urging the department to act within the stipulated period. AKM further cautioned that failure to address the issue could impel collective action from students and the public.

The OKM president, Tongpangmangyang Kichu, and general secretary, Sungkumjang Kichu, have emphasised the organisation’s commitment to community welfare, fully endorsing the CSU’s demand to suspend construction until a joint technical inspection is conducted.

Both AKM and OKM have called for comprehensive tests, including ultrasonic pulse velocity, rebound hammer and core cut sampling within a 10-day timeframe, insisting on transparency and accountability from the authorities.

Both the student organisations stressed that the AYUSH Hospital must meet the highest safety standards. They have also warned against wasting public funds on substandard infrastructure and vowed that no compromises would be made on health and welfare.

They have jointly called upon the authorities to respond promptly, conduct thorough inspections and implement corrective measures if deficiencies are confirmed, thereby ensuring the project serves its intended purpose without further delay.

As the 10-day ultimatum submitted by CSDU looms, the pressure is on the Health and Family Welfare department to address the lapses and restore confidence in the project’s completion.