Nagaland: Church donates 100 Oxygen cylinders towards COVID care

Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 9 

In a rare gesture which has caught the attention and also appreciation from many corners, the Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA) donated 100 Oxygen cylinders (jumbo) to six private hospitals in Dimapur that have COVID Care Centres and also to Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital and Impur Christian Hospital under Mokokchung district on June 8.

“As a church, in our common fight against the pandemic, we have been engaging in all possible ways to extend support and assistances. This year we started with prayer and counselling initiative and sharing food and essential items. But along the way, we realised that there is need to do more,” says Imnatoshi Longkumer, Mission Director, Dimapur Ao Baptist Church (DABA).

“Since Coronavirus invaded our city and particularly, as the second wave emerged during the last couple of months, we have seen families and individuals going through numerous unforgettable painful experiences. During these few months of our active involvement, we encountered among many, the desperate need of oxygen in the healthcare ministry/system due to the unbelievable increase among COVID positive cases. We realised that there was a desperate need for Oxygen,” Imna told The Morung Express on Wednesday.

He informed that the 100 Oxygen cylinders were given to the beneficiaries on Tuesday “with a promise that we are willing to refill it again and again if the hospital finds it difficult to refill it by themselves.” According to Imna, “It is an acknowledgement to all the private hospitals for coming to the rescue of our people during this difficult time.”

Recognizing it as an opportunity for DABA to work together with medical institutions, Imna expressed hope that the “healing ministry” will be strengthened in reaching out to the larger community with this contribution. “We have also sincerely requested that the hospital will also do more in helping the needy patients who are not in a position to afford huge expenses incurred during their period of COVID treatment. By doing so, we strongly believe that the hospital is partaking in the ministry of the church in serving humanity,” he added.

DABA has also been praying for oxygen plants in Nagaland. It may be mentioned that on May 25 last, the church circulated a prayer request for oxygen plants to the people in Nagaland with a note saying, “BMA Liquid Air and CIHSR Oxygen Plants in Nagaland render service not only for Nagaland but to other states as well. These oxygen plants are crucial for health care system in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and need to be in working condition to ensure uninterrupted supply of oxygen to hospitals.”

Imna says, “When the problem occurred in the BMA Liquid Air Oxygen Plant, we saw it as a need to pray for and do something about it. These are not random acts or just one time programme. We take time to pray and do planning and we keep asking ‘what next?’”

Sharing his opinion on the issue of “unrealistic expectations from the church,” Imna observes, “Firstly, every church is doing their best in their own capacity. During such crisis situation, the need of the congregation is more than just receiving prayers. It is the time for the church to open up, display and live with example the values like love, compassion, helping the sick and others that we have been preaching about.” 

Secondly, he asserts, “responsibility of the state belongs to the government. As a Church, let us continue to pray for the servants of the day to diligently work for the people who elected them. We must be also ready to help the government in any ways possible.” 

“It is the time for us to contribute and to be willing to be a part of the community that is fighting this pandemic. No reason should stop us from doing what we can for our community,” he concluded.