AKM stages protest over doctor shortage at IMDH, announces phase-II agitation from Monday

The Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) staged a public rally at Mokokchung Police Point at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, 15 March, protesting against the government’s failure to address the shortage of doctors at Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH). The rally saw participation and solidarity from Ao Senden, Watsü Mungdang, All Ward Union Mokokchung Town, and students’ unions of the six ranges – Asetkong, Langpangkong, Japukong, Jangpetkong, Ongpangkong, and Tzürangkong.

Speaking at the protest, AKM President Lanutoshi Aier asserted that the student body would not withdraw its agitation unless the government provided a written assurance with a clear timeframe for meeting their demands.

“Unless there is a written assurance, we will not call off our agitation. Unless all our demands are in written form, there is no agreement,” said Aier.

Following the protest, speaking to media, Aier further clarified that AKM did not agree to the meeting minutes recorded in a discussion with government officials. “We have responded to our Deputy Commissioner yesterday itself that the representatives of AKM never agreed with the meeting minutes. The signatures were to be used as attendance and not as agreement.”

According to AKM, IMDH currently has only 15 doctors, including the medical superintendent, which is far below the required strength of 24 doctors for a 150-bed hospital. The hospital is also experiencing a severe shortage of ICU nurses, technicians, and other medical personnel.

During a surprise inspection, AKM discovered that the hospital had employed around 28 additional personnel, including plumbers, ICU nurses, and lab technicians, to compensate for the staffing crisis. Due to the shortage of doctors, OPD services at IMDH are irregular, severely affecting patient care.

AKM had earlier submitted a representation to the Health Department, giving them 30 days to address the issue, but no action was taken. After the expiry of the 30-day period, an ultimatum of seven days was issued to the Principal Director of Health, demanding an immediate response.

Following the ultimatum, a meeting was held between AKM, Ao Senden, Watsü Mungdang, IMDH officials, and a committee from the Department of Health and Family Welfare (DHFW) on 14 March, 2025. As an outcome of the meeting, DHFW assured that: An anaesthetist would be posted after completing official procedures. A gynaecologist would be appointed through the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) once recruitment resumes. A medical officer would be posted at the TB Hospital to replace the doctor recently transferred to IMDH.

However, AKM rejected the assurances, arguing that NPSC has not conducted any recruitment exams since 2021 due to court cases, which could further delay the appointment of specialists. ”The court cases may prolong further, worsening healthcare not only in Mokokchung but across Nagaland,” AKM stated.

The AKM further explained that the deadlock was in the gynecologist issue, where they found that in the past eleven months, Mokokchung, being a Centre for neighboring districts, there were around 3,958 gynecology cases, with only one gynecologist attending to them at IMDH. They stated that during the doctor’s leave days, patients, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, bore the brunt of the situation. This, they said, was one area they could not compromise on. Therefore, if the gynecologist issue could be resolved, further discussions on solutions could take place.

The student body has earlier placed four key demands before the Health Department: Immediate appointment of a second anaesthetist to ensure surgeries and critical operations are not affected.

Deployment of at least one more gynaecologist to share the workload and reduce unnecessary referrals. Strict adherence to IPHS guidelines in staffing IMDH to prevent further deterioration of healthcare services. Immediate replacement of the outgoing doctor from TB Hospital to IMDH.

With the government’s response failing to meet their demands, AKM announced the next phase of agitation starting Monday.

“We cannot disclose our next move, but some form of democratic agitation and mobilization can be expected,” Aier said.

MT