There was a time years ago when VVIPs and VIPs would go to Vellore, or New Delhi or Guwahati or Dibrugarh and even Mumbai for treatment of some ailment or the other because medical facilities in our State were inadequate. The ailments could be of any number of kinds ranging from diabetes to cancer and so on. Why, it was even a sort of prestige matter because the State Govt. would foot the medical expenses. The number of qualified doctors was less then. Just to digress a wee bit, the late sixties and early seventies saw an increase in the number of people suffering from gastro-enteritis in my native Pfutsero town. Most of those old timers have since passed away. May their souls rest in peace. However, in the last few years our hospitals have been upgraded and we have any number of well qualified doctors in the various specialties. Since a thriving society also depends inter alia, on good health, the Nagaland department of Health and Family Welfare has also established primary health centers (PHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs) in selected rural localities so that our village folks can get treated with available medicines and thereby need not go to urban towns for treatment. Besides, the upcoming Referral Hospital at Dimapur is another encouraging sign.
We have a number of very good private hospitals also with up to date equipments. Of course, these are slightly on the expensive side but are certainly more economic than having to spend outside the State with all the attendant logistical hassles. Indeed, to be sick is also an expensive affair and one should take very good care of one’s health. These days, in the early mornings, men and women, old and young, going for walks or runs awhile others go to play badminton to get rid of the bulging bellies. Fine. As a matter of fact, a typical well to do Naga gentleman’s consumption of meat is above average because he cannot resist it. When you look at him from his right side he would look like the outline of South America with the Atlantic and Pacific oceans on both sides.
Just the other day, I came across a tit bit of news regarding our very own Minister in charge of Health and Family Welfare, namely, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu who reports say had been having gall bladder problems. When I first heard it during mid- December, I assumed that he had flown down to Vellore or some such place. In this case I was wrong and well never would I ever assume anything without confirming it.
Now the question arises as to why a Minister who has certain privileges decides to get treated by operation in Naga Hospital, Kohima itself and not go elsewhere outside the State. The answer is obvious. It implies absolute confidence in the abilities of the doctors concerned and the state of the art equipments available at their disposal. Surely, he could have afforded any of the privately-run hospitals but it seems he wanted to be an example and let the people know for themselves that even VVIPs and VIPs can avail Govt. facilities and also save the State exchequer a good sum of money and which could be used for nobler purposes. Moreover, Azo was reportedly on the move going on tours soon after his operation.
Well, may there be many more such examples from our VVIPs and VIPs not only in terms of medical cases but in others as well. As for yours truly, I have kept in mind what my father used to insist upon. He’d said: “There are many places you should avoid. But for the purpose of today’s advice, keep as far away as possible from the police station and any hospital. You see, the police station is a kind of hospital for criminals and anti-social elements and the usual hospital has the attendant doctors and nurses are there to cure any maladies that you suffer from---that is, if they can.”
We have a number of very good private hospitals also with up to date equipments. Of course, these are slightly on the expensive side but are certainly more economic than having to spend outside the State with all the attendant logistical hassles. Indeed, to be sick is also an expensive affair and one should take very good care of one’s health. These days, in the early mornings, men and women, old and young, going for walks or runs awhile others go to play badminton to get rid of the bulging bellies. Fine. As a matter of fact, a typical well to do Naga gentleman’s consumption of meat is above average because he cannot resist it. When you look at him from his right side he would look like the outline of South America with the Atlantic and Pacific oceans on both sides.
Just the other day, I came across a tit bit of news regarding our very own Minister in charge of Health and Family Welfare, namely, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu who reports say had been having gall bladder problems. When I first heard it during mid- December, I assumed that he had flown down to Vellore or some such place. In this case I was wrong and well never would I ever assume anything without confirming it.
Now the question arises as to why a Minister who has certain privileges decides to get treated by operation in Naga Hospital, Kohima itself and not go elsewhere outside the State. The answer is obvious. It implies absolute confidence in the abilities of the doctors concerned and the state of the art equipments available at their disposal. Surely, he could have afforded any of the privately-run hospitals but it seems he wanted to be an example and let the people know for themselves that even VVIPs and VIPs can avail Govt. facilities and also save the State exchequer a good sum of money and which could be used for nobler purposes. Moreover, Azo was reportedly on the move going on tours soon after his operation.
Well, may there be many more such examples from our VVIPs and VIPs not only in terms of medical cases but in others as well. As for yours truly, I have kept in mind what my father used to insist upon. He’d said: “There are many places you should avoid. But for the purpose of today’s advice, keep as far away as possible from the police station and any hospital. You see, the police station is a kind of hospital for criminals and anti-social elements and the usual hospital has the attendant doctors and nurses are there to cure any maladies that you suffer from---that is, if they can.”
