The need to equip Dr. Mhondamo Memorial District Hospital, Wokha, with advanced diagnostic facilities such as MRI and CT scan machines has become increasingly urgent and essential.
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T Penthungo Lotha
The need to equip Dr. Mhondamo Memorial District Hospital, Wokha, with advanced diagnostic facilities such as MRI and CT scan machines has become increasingly urgent and essential. In a region where healthcare access is already constrained by geography, infrastructure, and limited resources, the absence of these essential machines has had serious, and at times tragic, consequences. For patients suffering from life-threatening conditions such as stroke, the lack of immediate diagnostic capability often turns a medical emergency into a race against time that many unfortunately lose. It has already been half a century since both CT scan and MRI were first used on human and with all these technological advancements in medicine in the world, most of the districts hospitals in Nagaland don’t have access.
Stroke is a medical emergency where every second counts. The phrase “time is brain” is not merely a medical slogan; it is a reality that determines whether a patient lives, dies, or survives with permanent disability. The first and most critical step in stroke management is timely imaging, usually a CT scan or MRI, to determine the type of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic). Without this, doctors cannot begin appropriate treatment. However, in Wokha, the absence of such facilities means that patients must be transported to distant centres for diagnosis.
The shortest distance a stroke patient from Wokha must travel to access MRI or CT scan services is in Kohima Town, approximately 80 kilometers away. While this distance may seem manageable on paper, the reality is far more difficult. The road conditions are often poor, with uneven surfaces, sharp turns, and occasional landslides, especially during the monsoon season. The journey is not just long, it is physically taxing and emotionally distressing for both the patient and their family. A stroke patient is in an extremely fragile condition. They may be partially paralyzed, unable to speak, disoriented, or unconscious. Transporting such a patient over long distances in an ambulance, often without advanced life support systems, becomes a major challenge. The constant jerks of the vehicle, the lack of proper stabilization, and the anxiety of not knowing whether the patient will survive the journey all add to the ordeal. In many cases, the patient’s condition deteriorates en route.
From my own experience, the difficulty of such a journey is something I cannot easily forget. Traveling in an ambulance as a patient was one of the most distressing experiences I have ever undergone. The urgency of the situation, combined with the helplessness of not having immediate medical facilities nearby, created an overwhelming sense of fear. Every minute felt like an hour. The sound of the ambulance siren, which is supposed to signal hope and urgency, instead became a reminder of the race we were losing against time. The road itself seemed endless and each bump and turn made the condition more precarious. The lack of proper monitoring equipment in the ambulance meant that anything can happen on the way. Communication with medical professionals was limited, and there was no way to begin definitive treatment until we reached the distant hospital.
This experience is not unique. It is shared by many families in Wokha and surrounding areas. Countless patients have had to endure similar journeys, and sadly, many have not survived. The delay caused by transportation often results in the loss of the critical treatment window. For ischemic stroke patients, treatments like thrombolysis must be administered within a few hours. By the time the patient reaches a facility with imaging capabilities, it is often too late. The consequences of this are devastating, not just for the patients, but for their families and the community as a whole. A life lost due to lack of timely diagnosis is a tragedy that could have been prevented. Even when patients survive, delays in treatment often result in severe disabilities, placing a long-term burden on families and the healthcare system.
Wokha district, with a population of 1.6 lakh, needs its District Hospital equipped with an MRI and CT scan machine. It would allow for immediate diagnosis and timely intervention, significantly improving survival rates and outcomes. We have able doctors who needs advance technology support. These efficient doctors would be able to make informed decisions quickly, without the need to refer patients to distant centers. This would not only save lives but also reduce the emotional and financial burden on families. The presence of such facilities would strengthen the overall healthcare infrastructure of the district. It would encourage more people to seek medical care locally, reducing the need for long-distance travel. It would also enhance the capacity of the hospital to handle a wider range of medical conditions, making it a more reliable and trusted institution.
There is a moral imperative to address such issues as access to timely and adequate healthcare is a basic right. The people of Wokha should not have to risk their lives simply because of where they live. The current situation creates a disparity that is both unjust and avoidable. By equipping the district hospital with the necessary diagnostic tools, we can take a significant step towards ensuring equitable and economically viable healthcare access.
It is time the Government act decisively and invest in the healthcare infrastructure in districts where such facilities are not available. The installation of MRI and CT scan machines is not just a medical necessity, it is a commitment to saving lives, reducing suffering, and ensuring that no patient is left behind due to lack of access. Government exists for the people and therefore safeguarding them should be the utmost duty of the Government.