Red Cross urged to intensify medical camps in rural areas

Kohima | November 11 : Both the Governor of Nagaland, Nikhil Kumar, and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today encouraged the Indian Red Cross Society, Nagaland (IRCSN), to intensify holding of medical camps in rural areas of the state besides rendering various humanitarian services. Delivering the presidential address at the 23rd annual general meeting of the IRCSN here at Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Governor Nikhil Kumar expressed his happiness over the state branch conducting medical camps in the remotest parts of Nagaland, adding that he would be happy to see such camps in even larger numbers in future. He also described as “very appreciable” the Red Cross Society’s prompt action in extending help to the distressed people during natural and manmade calamities.
Kumar was also appreciative of first-aid training programmes in schools and colleges adding, “It is good if our children and youth come forward to have a better knowledge of what needs to be done when there is a medical emergency.” Referring to enrolment basing on the annual report, he expressed a wish to see that more initiations are done to increase the numbers.
Kumar also wished to see that the Red Cross ambulance services too cover the remaining three districts – Wokha, Phek and Longleng. The Governor said the ambulances services being provided by the district Red Cross Societies have been proving to be very useful and beneficial for the people, more so for those living in remote and far-flung areas. He also urged all concerned, particularly the legislators, to come forward and do their bit “so that the people are provided another good option of ensuring immediate medical attention to serious patients”.
Expressing his happiness to know that the Corpus Fund for Red Cross Society of Nagaland, which started with Rs.55 lakhs around two years back, has now reached about Rs.63 lakhs. Kumar felt that “it should be our endeavour to raise the amount of the corpus fund even in future. It would be my wishful desire if the corpus fund touches a figure of one crore”. Towards this, Kumar requested the Chief Minister, who is also the vice president of the state branch, to take up with the chairmen of the DPDBs for coming forward with their generous contributions towards the corpus fund. He was optimistic that once the corpus fund becomes “that big,” the Red Cross activities and programmes in Nagaland will see a greater escalation thereby addressing the humanitarian needs of a larger number of people.
Touching on the importance of district Red Cross societies which, being closer to the people, can by their sincere efforts ensure better coverage and delivery of the benefit of the various welfare and humanitarian activities being carried out by the Red Cross Society to the needy people, the Governor called upon the Deputy Commissioners and chairmen of the district branches to be aware of their crucial roles and responsibility toward this humanitarian society.
Kumar also expressed happiness that the Red Cross Society has succeeded in developing into a noteworthy and respected voluntary organisation in spite of various constraints, and added, “Each year more humanitarian and welfare activities for the needy people of the state are being taken up by the society.” Also complimenting the members for showing sincere concern and commitment for the Society, he hoped that they would continue with even more vigour, and at the same time called upon them to remember that Red Cross stands for some of the noblest and finest ideals of humanity and it is for each one of us to ensure that these ideals not only remain alive but get embedded in the minds and hearts of everyone.
Also delivering the vice-presidential address, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio described holding medical camps in rural areas as “laudable” and added that it is advisable that the Red Cross Society go to such areas and help them by distributing medicines and offering treatments. He also stated that while conducting medical camps, workshops are also essential to motivate what the people should do. Regretting that cleanliness was still lacking in rural areas, he wished the Red Cross Society to emphasis on such areas by declaring a specific year as ‘Year of Cleanliness’, ‘Year of Civic Awareness’ or ‘Year of Environment’.
Stating that the district-level Red Cross societies are ones that will be dealing with the grassroots level, he wished the Deputy Commissioners would take up various activities, while also assuring the government’s fullest support in this regard. On the other hand, Rio congratulated the members of Red Cross for doing a commendable job in the service of humanity. “We have achieved a lot. We can do much more,” he said, adding under the presidentship of Nikhil Kumar, “We will be able to achieve much more in future.”
Earlier, the function was chaired by Povotso Lohe, president of IRCSN, while general secretary Zakie Kire read out a report during the business session. The function also witnessed decoration of patrons and vice patrons, including conferring of the Lifetime Contribution Award to Allen Konyak and award of certificates for distinguished works to Kholie Dolf and Manoj Kumar Jain. Banuo Z Jamir, Additional Chief Secretary, was nominated as chairman of the State Council for Junior and Youth Red Cross. The function concluded with vote of thanks by vice president H Hesso.