By Imna Longchar
Dimapur (Nagaland), June 5: Amused by the “historic” press conference conducted by minister of Health & Family Welfare, Nagaland, S. Pangnyu Phom, on June 4 in Kohima, which was assisted by Principal Secretary, H&FW, Nagaland, A.S Bhatia, and Principal Director, H&FW, Nagaland, Dr. Neikhrielie Krimiao, the NPF Legislature Party (NPFLP) spokesperson, Imkong L. Imchen, on Saturday has lashed out on certain statements.
Stating that they have perhaps re-postured from the Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s stated position that a 176 bedded hospital would be constructed at CIHSR Hospital, Dimapur, on May 25, the Principal Director, H&FW, on June 2 had said that a “make-shift” (Tentage) COVID Hospital would be erected, further on June 4 in its “Historic” press conference, the Principal Secretary H&FW stated that a pre-engineered Acute Care Hospital having intake capacity of 200 beds including 24 bedded pediatric ICU ward would be constructed.
In this regard, Imchen said it was evident that on this “Historic” press conference all the three mentioned officials have avoided the money involved (Rs. 30 crores), the reason best known to them for not mentioning the money figure of Rs. 30 crores.
Stating that the people of Nagaland are intelligent enough to know their “tricks anyway”, Imchen took the opportunity by questioning whether the CIHSR Hospital, Dimapur, is already taken over by the Government of Nagaland to spend such a huge amount of money of Rs. 30 crores in this private hospital?, if yes, when was it taken over and under what authority? The Cabinet, Assembly or by any other public ordinance?
He went on to question if CIHSR Hospital is already owned by Nagaland Government, than what is the legal position of the MoU entered between the Government of Nagaland, Christian Medical College & Hospital, Vellore, and Emmanuel Hospital Association on May 27, 2005.
“If it has to be a Government Hospital, what would be the staffing structure, funding and management?
Because like any other Government Hospitals, the staff salaries have to be borne by the State having duly created the posts with financial cognate concurrence,” he said.
Further, the NPFLP spokesperson highlighted that according to the “Historic” press conference statement, there is no specific time-frame for the completion of the hospital and therefore what would be the fate of the COVID-19 infected patients before its completion as there is no fund allocation to the various District Hospitals to treat the COVID patients so far.
He later questioned whether proper and formal Tender Notice was advertised in mass media inviting bidders for the construction of this hospital? If so, in which newspapers, it was published and when?
Imchen further said if the answers to the rendered questions are “No” then the Chief Minister, Minister H&FW, Principal Secretary H&FW and Principal Director H&FW are liable for Criminal Prosecution for misappropriating Public money and misleading the people of the State for no cause.
Meanwhile, Imchen informed that the NPFLP as true representatives of the people is giving this clarion call in the larger interest of public service and also calling upon the Government of the day to maintain transparency and accountability while occupying the public office.
