Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Oct. 4: The entire region of Eastern Nagaland – comprising five districts namely Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng and Noksen – does not have a single Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at its hospitals.
For years now, their nearest go-to option has been Mokokchung. But this might change soon, thanks to an initiative of the Tuensang Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI). Although barely five months since it was formed, the TCCI has spearheaded a campaign to build a much-needed ICU at the District Hospital in Tuensang.
Speaking to Eastern Mirror, the president of TCCI, L Dorothy emphasised on the importance of an ICU not just in Tuensang but the entire Eastern Nagaland region.
“For many years nothing has been done for any basic development and one area that needed attention was the district hospital,” said Dorothy claiming that many lives have been lost due to poor healthcare facility.
‘Recently an accident occurred. The victim was brought to the hospital and administered oxygen but he succumbed to the injuries as the oxygen tank was empty,’ she said. Recalling many such incidences, she said the TCCI had decided to build the ICU.
On September 30, it organised a ‘Save a Life’ charity show in Tuensang town in aid of the ICU project and was able to raise INR 7,15,448. “The ICU will not only be for the citizens of Tuensang but also for the rest of this region as the nearest best medical attention would be Mokokchung,” she maintained.
According to Dorothy ‘the real heroes’ were the residents of Tuensang town and the 40th Assam Rifle along with sector 7 who has agreed to donate the equipments for the ICU.
“The Assam Riffle were the happiest and most willing to donate the equipments for the ICU building which includes ventilators, beds and more,” she said.
While acknowledging those who stood by their cause including the district administration, NGOs, churches, Naga political groups etc., Dorothy said that the TCCI did not approach the department concerned for help.
“For many years there have been silent spectators in the government, so we decided to take this small step ourselves for the people,” she said. The TCCI hopes to complete the ICU building by March 2019.
