Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, AUGUST 23
With the expansion of modern health care facilities and thereby increase in demand for nurses, Chief Minister TR Zeliang today favoured opening of more nursing schools and colleges rather than medical colleges.
Though, stating that the role of doctors and nurses are complimentary in delivering quality and satisfactory healthcare services, Zeliang, however, observed that of late the demand for nurses has exceeded the doctors. He said this while inaugurating the new building of College of Nursing at CIHSR, Dimapur.
“The doctors may diagnose a disease and prescribe a medicine, but it is the nurses who administer the medicines, and physically take care of the sick. Nurses are the ones who actually deliver the basic healthcare. In actual practice, the demand for nurses is much more than that of doctors,” he said.
Pointing out that there are good employment opportunities for nurses everywhere, both in India and even abroad, the CM said. “Today, there won’t be much problems in finding jobs for graduates of nursing schools and colleges, whereas there are already many engineers who are not getting jobs in our State and elsewhere.” Noting that nursing profession is one of the most honourable professions, he encouraged the nursing students to continue the good services with a missionary zeal.
“The nursing profession requires not only knowledge of skill of nursing, it equally demands dedication, compassion and love for the ones who need our services, especially the sick and helpless, whom we cannot expect anything in return,” he said.
On being apprised of the serious problem of erosion on the eastern side of CIHSR, the CM assured to take up the matter very soon.
Minister of Health & Family Welfare P Longon, who is also the vice patron of CIHSR, in his address urged the hospital management authority and students to strive with their best to make the institute a reputed and renowned institute in NE region.
On the reserved quota of 50% to Nagaland state, he made a special mention to remember the lesser advanced region during the time of selection.
Speaking to a section of media persons on the sidelines of the inauguration programme, the Minister gave assurance that the salary of NRHM staff would be immediately released. He, however, was reluctant to specify the date for releasing it.
The programme was also attended by Home Minister Y Patton, Power Minister Kipili Sangtam, and parliamentary secretaries including Neiba Kronu, Tovihoto Awomi, S Chuba Longkumer, Er. Picto and Jacob Zhimomi among others.