DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 3 (MExN): Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio has revealed that the state is faced with acute shortage of nurses and added that to meet the requirement, opening of more schools of nursing was in the pipeline.
Inaugurating the School of Nursing, District Hospital Dimapur on Friday, Rio said there were 334 GNMs and 806 ANMs out of the requirement of 1153 GNMs and 975 ANMs. He said opening of nursing schools for Mon and Phek was in the pipeline.
Responding to an appeal from the minister for health and family welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu (Azo), who chaired the programme, to make the School of Nursing Dimapur functional at the earliest, Rio assured to put it up at the first cabinet meeting once the required papers are ready.
In this regard, the chief minister asked the post creation committee, finance committee and other responsible committees to process the papers. “In a month or two we will start the School of Nursing,” Rio said. He said it was the state government’s top priority to give the best possible health care facilities to the citizens.
The chief minister, however, lamented that everyone wanted to work in Kohima, Dimapur etc and that nobody was willing to go to remote or difficult areas. For this reason, Rio said that the government wanted to give upto 50% reservation for people belonging to remote areas or least represented tribes so that they can go back to their places and work.
“We have to carry the people with us ... we cannot ignore the people from remote areas,” Rio said and appealed all government servants to be sincere in their duties.
He described nursing as one of the noblest professions and said that nurses were the backbone of health services as they touch the patients life with love and care. He said nursing was not only about medicines but also the compassion given to the patients. Nagas being known for their hospitality because of the strong social bonding and Christianity which is based on love and serving, Rio said Nagas might even be best suited for nursing profession. Upon arrival, the chief minister unveiled the plaque of the School of Nursing.
Earlier, minister Azo said that the project cost of the School of Nursing building was Rs 5.06 crore while the total cost was Rs 6.46 crore. He thanked the government of India, the NRHM, engineering wing and all other responsible for making the “long cherished dream of Dimapur” a reality.
Commissioner and secretary, health and family welfare, Menukhol John said that the proposal for creation of posts for the School of Nursing was in the final stages.
A host of dignitaries including a cabinet minister, parliamentary secretaries and health department officials attended the inaugural programme.
