Eric Miachieo
Kohima | October 27
Senior doctors of the State, including physician-turned-legislators, today confessed that contribution to society by the State’s doctors in the medical profession – whom they described as the cream of society – has been found wanting and accepted that it is their (doctors’) fault that the State is still unable to reach its target of achieving zero percent in HIV/AIDS prevalence rate.
Speaking at the inaugural function of the annual State conference of the Indian Medical Association Nagaland Branch at Hotel Japfu Saturday, former practicing physicians now serving as legislators, including Agriculture Minister Dr. Chumben Murry, Parliamentary Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Dr. K.C Nihoshe and Chairman, NKVIB and Music Task force, Dr. Nicky Kire minced no words in spelling out that the performance of the doctors of the State, particularly the in-service doctors, have been found wanting. All the three legislators agreed that this was mainly due to individual greed.
Seeking to make a direct point, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire expressed utter disappointment over the tendency of the doctors posted in district hospitals to refer patients to private nursing homes, particularly in cases needing surgery, citing various reasons including that of the Operation Theatre (OT) being fully booked for the entire month. By doing this, he said, the doctors are making the innocents victims of their greed.
Dr. Nihoshe blatantly spelled out that the doctors have to accept and agree that it is their fault that the State is yet to reach its target of achieving zero status in HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, pointing out that that doctors and medical staff, specially posted at outposts, are not getting actively involved in the global fight against the HIV/AIDS menace.
Besides not being present and making efforts to contribute ideas, they are also not serious in efforts towards addressing the cause through awareness, continuation and appraisal, he said stressing that a continuous effort is needed and we (medical personnel) have to come up with strategies to do something about the HIV/AIDS-positive people who still dare not make their status open yet seek government-sponsored facilities.
Agreeing that those in the medical profession are considered the cream of society, Agriculture Minister Dr. Chumben Murry exhorted the doctors present to always remember that they have an extra burden and duty towards society and called upon the doctors of the State to be agents of change in society, describing the present society at a nascent society. Towards this, he suggested, doctors and medical staff need to keep developing their skills, open to changes, updated on latest technologies and willing to reach to the unreached.
Commissioner & Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Sentiyanger Imchen IAS sought the assistance and advice of the IMA in formulating the government’s health policies. On the occasion, two of the oldest surviving, Dr. K.K Angami (94 years-old) and Dr. K. Tseikhanuo (83 years-old) were felicitated by the IMA Nagaland Branch.
