In Kohima, all routine OPDs remained closed at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima. However, all serious or emergency patients and admitted patients in wards and ICU continue to function normally.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Health services in Nagaland came to a grinding halt after the Nagaland in-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) went on a three day mass casual leave from Monday in protest against the state government’s failure to increase superannuation age of medical doctors from 60 to 62 years.
According to NIDA source, in the state capital, Kohima, all routine OPDs remained closed at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima, however, all serious or emergency patients and admitted patients in ward and ICU continue to function normally.
It was informed that police personnel were deployed for monitoring any unwanted situation.
Emergency department, causality and ICU would remain open 27×7 to see and treat all serious cases and admit patients if required. Besides, children immunisation, covid vaccination and tests are not affected.
The source also said that all senior specialists and doctors are in station and available round the clock to attend to any medical or surgical emergencies arising during the period.
It however maintained that the doctors were forced to take this drastic step as a last resort after exhausting all other avenues of dialogue with the government and due to the failure of the government in solving their demand even after patiently waiting for one year as requested by the government.
On deployment of the police personnel at NHAK, the doctors expressed surprise saying that such arrangement was not necessary, as the matter is not a law and order situation.
Meanwhile, Angami Students’ Union (ASU) has deputed its volunteers at respective government hospitals, PHCs and sub-centres under the Angami region to oversee that no patients are deprived of any health services.
Meanwhile, in view of the three-day mass casual leave protest called by the Nagaland In-service Doctors Association (NIDA) which started on Monday, a district level control room has been formed for coordination and real time monitoring of the situation in Kohima and Dimapur districts.
For Kohima, the control room or district helpline could be contacted at 6033833879 for any assistance on health care facilities.
For any medical emergencies and referrals contact Naga Hospital Authority Kohima through mobile number 8794805711.
The control room/district helpline for Dimapur is 7641823998 and 6009924366.
The control rooms in both the districts have been asked to provide guidance to any individual needing access to health care facilities during the agitation period.