CM launches 10BedICU projects for 12 districts

Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, on Friday virtually launched the 10BedICU projects in 12 districts of the state during a programme at Capital Cultural Centre, here on Friday. The 10BedICU Project is an innovative Public Private Partnership project between the department of health and family welfare, government of Nagaland, and 10BedICU partner NGOs (eGov Foundation and Karuna Trust) led by eGov Foundation.
Addressing the launching programme, Rio lauded the collaborative effort of the implementing agencies, state government and the donors in completing the project. He disclosed that as of January 6 a total of 12 district hospitals were connected with tele-ICU hub and spoke infrastructure.
Rio, who had earlier launched the tele-ICU hub at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), said the new facilities were impressive. He expressed hope that those handling the facilities would make the best use out of it in helping the general population get the critical care in the best possible manner. Rio said the state had heard about the innovative and focused manner with which eminent sponsors of the project wanted to establish 10BedICU facilities in some districts in the country at a time when the country was grappling with the deadly second wave of Covid-19.
“Feeling that it would help us meet the challenges for providing such facilities in the State, we had approached the eGovernment Foundation through Nachiketa Mor on May 31 2021 subsequently Nagaland government signed a quadripartite MoU with the eGovernment Foundation, Nirmaan Organisation and Karuna Trust,” CM said.
He thanked the organisations for coming forward to partner with the government.
Rio said the most critical part of running an ICU was manpower, but the newly launched project would innovatively address the difficulties.
The chief minister also expressed optimism that the medical doctors and nurses would be able to use the opportunity optimally. He said that any projects of such kind would evolve over time and hoped that the department would nurture it to maturity and success.
In his speech, state health minister, S Pangnyu Phom described the launching of project as “historic” and said it has marked an important step towards providing world-class healthcare facilities to the people.
Through the project, he said the state government was enhancing the critical care infrastructure across the state, which would now be able to protect vulnerable population of the state.
Health minister also expressed hope that the new facilities would bring transformational change across the state. Phom urged all the district hospitals to get the best internet connectivity to ensure smooth functioning of the new facilities.
The minister said the department would also ensure that specialist doctors at NHAK would be assigned to take care of patients in remote places through the project.
He disclosed that treatment would be provided free of cost through CMHIS while hospitals would be able to generate revenue through the same scheme.
10BedICU chairman, Srikanth Nadhamuni, introduced the project and also launched the promotional video of the project. He also highlighted the donors who were involved in the project.
He expressed happiness that the project was completed in a record time of less than a year, which was very quick when compared with the other seven states where the project was implemented simultaneously.
The project was launched in Kiphire, Phek, Tuensang, Noklak, Dimapur, Peren, Wokha, Longleng, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Mon and Kohima.
Nadhamuni requested HDFC Bank to finance the setting up of the project in the other four newly created districts including Chümoukedima, Niuland, Shamator and Tseminyü to which the latter agreed.
The chief minister had a virtual interaction with Khosla Ventures founder, Vinod Khosla and Infosys chairman, Nandan Nilekani during the programme.
Earlier, the launch programme was compered by Dr. Asangla Jamir and Adila Longkumer while commissioner and secretary, Y Kikheto Sema, delivered the welcome address.
Invocation for the programme was offered by Kohima Baptist Pastors Fellowship president, Rev Vezopa Rhakho while policy lead & program coordinator, eGov Foundation, Bisoya Loitongbam proposed the vote of thanks.
Later, a press conference was addressed by Nadhamuni, Y Kikheto Sema and other stakeholders and specialists involved in the project.