DIMAPUR, APRIL 6 (MExN): Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAD), Nagaland state branch held its 3rd general conference on Saturday, April 6 in Dimapur. The state branch of the IAP was formed back in the late eighties at a time when Nagaland had less than five practicing pediatricians. Today, the state has 23 practicing doctors specialising in the field of child care.
The IAP as a medical body is committed to the improvement of the health of children, while dedicating its efforts and resources towards the well-being of children.
Upholding this commitment, IAP state branch president, Dr. L Tokuho Chishi giving the customary presidential address, said that the organisation was visualized without any ‘ism’ in mind with the objective of giving care to children and creating a healthy environment for the people while working hand in hand with the government. “We should try to uplift the society and become a functional organisation... and not just in name,” he said.
While acknowledging the poor state of pediatric care in Nagaland, he said that the members of the IAP by virtue of their acquired professional knowledge must address it. “We cannot remain indifferent after acquiring so much knowledge.”
The stated aim of the IAP notwithstanding, response to today’s conference was poor with only a handful of members attending. Commenting on the poor response, former director of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. K. Tali Imchen said that it is very disheartening to see young paediatricians choosing to abstain from the meeting. The state branch of the IAP is one of the oldest in the state. “Still we’re still in infancy stage,” he said. The state may be lacking manpower in paediatrics yet reaping the most out of the little the state has must be the mantra, he added.
“Even though (we’re) small in number we should be able to make an impact wherever we are”, said Dr. Wetselo, senior paediatrician, district hospital Phek. However, he said the state branch of the IAP has not been able to create an impact thus far, as envisioned in the mission statement of the IAP, stating, “IAP (state branch) has not been able to function well because of our indifference, it is our failure.”
He took the instance of the National Rural Health Mission, which he said has come up with good schemes for child-mother care. “But we are not reaping the benefits of it because of our poor organization.” Nevertheless, he added that Nagaland branch of the IAP can make a lot of difference by transforming itself into a competent body, a source of expertise for the government, through which everybody can benefit.
Another pediatrician (a retired government doctor) pointed out an area of concern plaguing doctors with special degrees in Nagaland. Wishing to remain anonymous, the retired pediatrician said that doctors spend a good part of their youth acquiring knowledge, and more so for those who opt for specialised courses, with dreams of making a difference later in their chosen branch of learning. However, the dream gets shattered when specialist are posted in primary health centres in the outposts, where the limited resources and equipment act as barricade preventing them from applying their specialty, he said. Without undermining the role of general doctors, he added that specialists in such circumstances are compelled to function like general practitioners. “As pediatricians we are expected to deliver something (specific) but just the knowledge will not do, the delivery system should have ‘something’ and that ‘something’ is lacking.”
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