Kohima, July 21 (DIPR): A MoU was signed this evening, the 21st July 2010, between the Government of Nagaland and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ ‘Doctors Without Borders’ at the Chief Minister’s residential office.
State Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio thanked the MSF for their efforts and contribution while also thanking them for choosing a remote area like Mon for opening a project for providing secondary healthcare with support of the district hospital. He said that the pilot project will serve as a model for other districts and hoped that concerned personnel in Mon would learn through training with the MSF and serve as a benchmark for others to follow.
Rio also stressed on quality control and urged upon the MSF team members to create awareness among the people so that they will be equipped to handle the task well in future. Rio also extended all possible help from the government’s side wherever possible.
The MSF will be providing human resources with expertise in different areas (surgery/anesthetics/gynecology/lab...) protocols; supply medicines and medical material to complement what is already in place; supply material and basic equipment to offer quality care; give support in waste management aspects and offer “hands on” coaching/teaching. After reaching level of operationality at the hospital, other activities in rural areas may also become part of the project (including vaccination). The MSF team has been in Mon since February 2010 where they have been introducing the organization to the authorities (civil, medical), hospital staff and different community groups in Mon district.
They also carried out situational analysis on the current situation of Mon district hospital (base point to start the project) and also identified priorities. They also did deep assessment of waste management situation and drafted a plan of action including discussions, brainstorming and planning for the management of the hospital (internal regulations, job profiles, etc).
A quick assessment by the MSF team was earlier done in March 2009 for the pilot project in Mon while deeper assessment was done in September 2009. After discussions were held at Kohima in December 2009, the project was approved by MSF Hq in December 2009.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian medical aid organization working in more than 65 countries worldwide. It is neutral, impartial, independent and not linked to any political party or governmental body. In 1996, MSF received the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development. MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize1999.
