6-year-old Chongkom from Peshu village with her father.
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | March 29
While healthcare access in rural Nagaland has long been a challenge coupled with the lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, unreliable electricity, water supply and sanitation, Chief Minister’s Mobile Operation Theatre (CM-MOT) which was formally flagged off on January 26 this year has won the trust and admiration especially of those in the far-flung areas, for whom ‘specialised healthcare’ is a first-time experience.
Led by surgeon and MLA Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhutso, a skilled medical team from KOHIMAS hospital and doctors from private and government establishments comprising of 7 doctors with different surgical specialties have been bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of patients in rural Nagaland. These patients have not been able to avail healthcare service for multiple reasons including financial difficulty.
Since the launch of CM-MOT, the team has travelled across places including Meluri, Phek, Pfütsero, Kiphire, Pungro, Noklak, Thonoknyu, Panso and Shamator and has performed around 300 operations. It may be noted here that CM-MOT aims to improve access to specialized care, promote health equity, and reduce healthcare costs in underserved regions featuring a fully equipped mobile surgical unit, portable diagnostic tools such as ultrasound, X-ray, endoscopy, blood test and instruments for minimally invasive surgeries.
‘The little girl with a brave heart’
After a long, tiring day on March 27 at Thonoknyu Hospital, having seen over 200 cases including 30 operations, 50 ultrasound scans, and extraction of hundreds of teeth (the highest being extraction of 9 teeth in one patient), the CM-MOT Team decided to call it a day. Their things were all packed and they were all set to leave.
“But just as we were about to depart, an old, open gypsy came rushing towards the hospital, kicking up a cloud of dust,” Dr Keneilhoulie Medom, Anesthesiologist & Managing Director, KOHIMAS Hospital recalled even as he related to The Morung Express that, “four men, covered from head to toe in dust, jumped out of the gypsy, followed by a little girl with a faint smile on her face.”
6-year-old Chongkom from Peshu village had been suffering from a severe toothache that had kept her awake all night. “We were initially hesitant to take on another case. We were exhausted, both physically and mentally, and all our instruments and medicines were packed away. But as we looked into Chongkom's innocent and helpless eyes, we couldn't bring ourselves to turn her away,” Dr. Keneilhoulie Medom recollected.
It was then the team also learnt from the father that they had arrived late as they had been looking to borrow Rs 200 for the gypsy fare. Moreover, given the deplorable condition of the road, it had taken them 4 hours to reach Thonoknyu Hospital.
Despite the pain she was in, Dr Keneilhoulie Medom narrated that, “she didn't flinch as we injected local anesthesia to numb her tooth for extraction” even as he expressed that, “the procedure was over quickly, and as we extracted the two infected teeth, Chongkom didn't shed a single tear.” That look of contentment and satisfaction on the little girl’s face after the ordeal was over, is most rewarding, he impressed upon.
“As we watched them drive away, we knew that this was a moment we would never forget. Our team might have operated hundreds of patients but treating this little girl was exactly the reason why CM-MOT was started in first place,” he underscored.
“Chongkom may have been just a 6-year-old girl from a small village, but she has shown us the true meaning of courage and resilience,” he went on to say.
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