- DIMAPUR — A major
case of medical impersonation has shaken Dimapur’s healthcare system, exposing
serious lapses in oversight and accountability. The accused, Albert P Lotha,
allegedly posed as a medical doctor and was able to infiltrate the Dimapur
District Hospital and the office of the chief medical officer (CMO), despite
not being officially recognised or registered.
- According to Dimapur District Hospital authorities, Lotha
was never listed in the hospital’s attendance records, payroll, or in-patient
and out-patient department records.
- Reports revealed that the accused had conducted around 29
post-mortem examinations between 2016 and 2022, which were countersigned by the
CMO of Dimapur during that period.
Also read: Lotha Doctors Forum slams Albert P Lotha for fraudulent medical practice
- A former CMO, when approached for comment, declined to
provide details as an investigation is currently underway but expressed hope
that the truth will emerge once the inquiry concludes.
- In January this year, the Nagaland Medical Council (NMC) had
officially filed a complaint against Albert P Lotha, for practising medicine
without a valid registration. It alleged that Lotha was offering medical
services in New Market, Dimapur, despite not being listed on the NMC registry.
- Investigators are now working to determine how Lotha managed
to gain such extensive access to sensitive medical duties within government
health institutions without detection.
- Per official records, Dimapur CMOs during the period from
2016 to 2020 were: Dr. MA Wati from January 27, 2014, to April 2, 2016; Dr.
Vikato Kinimi from April 2, 2016, to October 1, 2019; Dr. T Pangjung Sangtam
from October 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020; Dr. Tiasunep Pongener from May 3,
2020, to August 4, 2020; and Dr. Mereninla Senlem from August 6, 2020, to May
10, 2021.
