Four-member team inspects NIMSR

NMC TO VISIT NIMSR IN NOV FOR CERTIFICATION

A four-member team constituted by the Gauhati High Court (GHC) Kohima Bench, inspected the ongoing construction of the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) Phriebagie, Kohima Saturday.
The team led by advocate TB Jamir include advocates—Tongpok Pongener, Joshua Sheqi and Apila Sangtam convener T.B Jamir, Tongpok Pongener, Joshua Sheqi and Apila Sangtam inspected the medical college site, accompanied by the Neiteo Koza counsel for the petitioner, Z.N Ngullie CGC and Nchum Mozhui, counsel for the department of health and family welfare.
Principal Director Health & Family Welfare Dr. V. Kinimi, the MS and MD of Naga Hospital Authority, (NHAK) Kohima and officials from the Health department were also present.
During the inspection, the team interacted with Health department officials, engineer, consultant and the contractors. Executive engineer, Er. Moanaro Longkumer briefed the team on the status of the college and also explained the reasons for the delay. The seven contractors, involved in the construction works, also gave detailed reports of the status of the works.
In view of the proposed visit by National Medical Commission (NMC) to NIMSR for certification, during the first week of November, the Health department has asked the contractors to complete the work before the scheduled visit. It was pointed out that the NMC team will inspect the medical college and accordingly issue certification, which was crucial for the medical college to be functional by 2023. However, the contractors sought more time to achieve the targeted period of completion.
On the other hand, advocate T.B Jamir said that the NMC certification was a must for the medical college to begin academic session. He said the state cannot lose any opportunity, and therefore urged the contractors to step-up the work and ensure that all criteria as laid down by NMC were met.
Further, the group of lawyers also urged the contractors to engage more manpower and suggested two-shift works in order to hasten the pace to complete the work before the visit of the NMC team.
It may be mentioned that the High Court has asked the inspection team to submit a report before the court, while listing the matter on October 19.
The NIMSR was estimated to cost Rs. 189 crore through joint funding between Centre (Health Ministry- MoHFW) and Nagaland in the ratio of 90:10 (Central share Rs. 170.1 cr and State share Rs. 18.9 crore). MoHFW has already released its entire share of Rs.170.1 crore while Nagaland was yet to release its share.
According to the monthly progress report for the month of September 2022 till October, the following projects were constructed– Medical College building, girls and boys hostel (250 nos), residential apartment-200 Sqm (1 block -10 units), residential apartment -100 Sqm (4 blocks-24 units), Dean Residence, MS residence, sports block and external developmental works. Additional funding from other sources included- library and lecture theatre building (Rs. 30 crore funding through World Bank), new 400 bedded teaching Hospital (funding through JICA), existing 150 bedded (funding through the State government).
The expansion of the project way beyond the stipulated criteria of 200 beds over and above land acquisition, has caused much of the delay. The NHAK, located around 6 kms from the academic building, was originally to be the teaching hospital.
The state government had appointed Prof. Dr. Soumya Chakraborty as the first Dean-cum-Director for NIMSR in August this year but her parent institute (ESI-PGIMSR) has refused to release her.
As reported, chief secretary J. Alam had informed Nagaland Post on October 11 that the state government had written to the Centre with proposal to make NIMSR to the level of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) but so far no response was received.