Moa Jamir
Challenges and high hopes for Nagaland’s first medical college
On October 14, a significant milestone was achieved with the official inauguration of the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), the State’s first medical college. Describing it as fulfilment of a long-cherished dream, thus, be an understatement.
The institute located at Phriebagie, Kohima was officially inaugurated by the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on October 14, who underscored that the NIMSR is “not just a medical college, it is also a research institute. It will not only fulfil the purpose of imparting medical education but will also address the health issues of the Naga people.”This is the beginning of a new illustrious journey towards better health and better care, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio asserted with great pride. The institute commenced its first MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) classes in early September, with 100 seats, of which 85 were reserved for Nagaland and 15 for the All-India Quota.
According to NIMSR’s website, its objectives include providing medical education, training, and research, encompassing undergraduate and postgraduate medical colleges, nursing colleges, GNM schools, auxiliary staff training, paramedical courses, dental colleges, and homoeopathy/AYUSH colleges. Additionally, NIMSR aims to promote and conduct medical research, while assisting the State Government in planning and implementing primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare programs.
These ideals are commendable; however, the journey to this point has been less than illustrious. To begin with, the project was approved by the Government of India (GoI) as part of a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) in 2014, with a total approved cost of Rs 189 crore and a funding split of 90:10 between the GoI and the State Government, resulting in Rs 170.10 crore from the former and Rs 18.90 crore from the latter.
However, the acquisition of land, which was the State Government’s responsibility, was only completed in February 2018. The master plan received approval in October 2018, and construction commenced in 2019. Unfortunately, the construction proceeded at a slow pace, with the COVID-19 pandemic often cited as a reason for delays. This led to missed deadlines, including an assertion to start the 2022-23 academic session, which was delayed by one year.
In this connection, it is fair to assert that the completion of the medical college may not have been possible without the intervention of the Guwahati High Court Kohima Bench, hearing a bunch of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petitions related to medical facilities and the healthcare sector in the State.
Specifically, on February 16, 2012, a Division Bench led by then Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court, Sudhanshu Dhulia, decided to intervene and monitor thirty-two PILs.
“The common grievance of all PILs is the extremely poor state of medical facilities in Nagaland. Although each petition focuses on different districts in Nagaland, they all highlight the dire state of medical facilities and public health in the State,” the Bench the observed.
“We need to monitor these petitions and in order to facilitate it,” it added, thereby appointing two Amicus Curiae to assist the Court.
Since then, the Court has continuously monitored progress, issued directives, and conducted inspections related to the medical college and other related issues. Various court orders issued thereafter attest to this ongoing supervision. As the PILs are still pending, and with a second medical college project underway in Mon, it is imperative for the HC Kohima Bench to continue monitoring to prevent the State Government from reverting to its previous work habits.
Further, to ensure the lofty goals of these institutions are achieved and the journey is illustrious, bureaucratic and political intervention should be minimised. These educational institutes, including NIMSR and the upcoming college, should be granted autonomy to chart their own paths with minimal obstacles. The role of the State Government and other concerned authorities should primarily be to ensure that these institutes stay true to their mandates.
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