MSF calls for continued development of Mon District Hospital

Following the successful completion of a four year partnership with the Department of Health and Family Welfare (DoH&FW) to support Mon District Hospital, Médecins sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders (MSF) is calling on local authorities and communities to continue good management and patient care at the hospital.   MSF officially departs from the hospital on 20 July, 2014. With the assistance of local authorities, NGOs and staff, MSF refurbished the hospital with new infrastructure, trained staff, provided free medication to all, improved protocols and processes, and provided additional medical and non-medical equipment, better facility for water and electricity and stock management.

Thanking the Government of Nagaland for their support, Luke Arend, Country Director, MSF said “The last four years have witnessed a remarkable change in the facilities offered by Mon District Hospital and the outlook of people towards seeking healthcare.  We leave feeling that good patient-focussed services are being offered. I want to thank the senior members from DoH&FW in Kohima for welcoming MSF to the state and giving us this opportunity, and their persistent support and appreciation of our efforts. As we depart, we strongly urge the authorities to not just ensure the continued robust support and management of the hospital but also turn the up gradation plans into a reality.  Let’s keep the momentum!’’

“Though no amount of “thank yous” can ever suffice, I would like to thank the entire MSF family whose hard work has gone into revival of the district hospital. Constant support from the community and the administration both in the district and the state made it possible to bring this change. The relentless efforts of MSF staff (logistics, medical, administrative, finance, coordination, drivers, nurses, guards) make us proud to have served the people of Mon.” added Beatrice Barbot, Field Coordinator, MSF.

Bidding farewell to MSF, the apex Konyak NGOs spearheaded by KNSK along with the district administration, organized a farewell for MSF today. The event acknowledged the positive change brought in by MSF and felicitated all authorities that supported the same. Initiatives like ‘Big Cleaning Day’ and ‘I Love My Hospital’ campaign were highlighted again to remind the community of their responsibility in preserving the hospital.

“Even though a farewell event was organised by the DoH&FW, we feel it was not enough. Together with the local NGOs and administration, we would like to thank our dear MSF friends for rendering their services not only for the people of Mon but also for people from border areas. MSF has not only brought an overall change in the health sector but has also improved the condition of human resource, work ethics and ambulance for referrals. It is our promise that we will not let the hospital go back to where it was four years ago, but will join our hands together, soar up high and move ahead. Finally, we would also request our dear MSF friends to visit the hospital in the years to come.” Mrs. Lomei, KNSK president.

While few challenges still remain, MSF is hopeful that the existing political will and resources will never let the hospital return to the condition it was in four years ago. The planned development of the hospital to accommodate 100 beds and recruitment of the required staff to support it is needed for a population of the size of Mon. We hope this will become a reality in the near future.

About MSF India

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is an independent international medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters in more than 65 countries. MSF offers healthcare to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF received the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development in 1996 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

Notes to the editor

In 2010, MSF signed an MoU with the Government of Nagaland (Department of Health and Family Welfare) to support Mon District Hospital.  The district hospital was the only government run healthcare facility for 2, 70,000 residents and was in a poor state, leaving it underused.

Following the MoU, MSF refurbished the hospital and trained its staff. MSF developed the pharmacy, set up a biomedical waste management system and built an operation theatre- the only functioning one in the region. Today, the hospital sees around 2,000 local residents every month.

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