A fully equipped Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance with ventilator support was inaugurated and flagged off by Sharingain Longkumer, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly at Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH), Mokokchung, on Wednesday under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID).
The project, titled “Providing of Fully Equipped Ambulance with Ventilator Support for Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital,” has been implemented by POWERGRID through the Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, at a total cost of Rs. 32.06 lakh.
The Advanced Life Support ambulance is equipped with ventilator support and other life-saving emergency medical equipment, enabling healthcare professionals to provide critical care to patients during transportation. The addition of the ambulance is expected to significantly strengthen emergency healthcare services in Mokokchung district, improve pre-hospital emergency response, and facilitate the safe referral of critically ill patients to higher medical centres when required.
During a brief programme held at the Conference Hall of IMDH, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Sharingain Longkumer said the Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance would help bridge a critical gap in emergency healthcare services in Mokokchung, particularly during the “golden hour” when timely medical intervention can save lives.
Recalling how the initiative began, Longkumer said the proposal was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic while he was serving as Chairman of the District Planning and Development Board (DPDB), after witnessing the absence of advanced life support facilities during medical emergencies and the challenges faced in transporting critically ill patients.
He said the need became personal after losing a close ones who could not be shifted to a higher medical centre because such a facility was unavailable. He added that several other families in the district had suffered similar losses due to the lack of advanced emergency transportation.
“The doctors have always given their best, but their efforts must be supported by proper medical infrastructure,” he said, adding that the ambulance would strengthen the district’s emergency response system and improve the chances of survival for critically ill patients.
Longkumer thanked Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) for approving the ambulance under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative and appreciated the district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma, for ensuring that the project was implemented. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Chief Medical Officer, doctors and hospital staff.
He urged the District Hospital to maintain the ambulance properly and ensure that it remains ready for emergency use at all times. He also appealed to the public to support the initiative and use the facility responsibly.
Longkumer further appealed to POWERGRID to continue supporting healthcare infrastructure in Mokokchung, stating that while the district has committed healthcare professionals, they require adequate infrastructure and equipment to deliver better medical services. He also called upon all stakeholders to continue working together to strengthen the district’s healthcare system.
Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, Ajit Kumar Verma, expressed his appreciation to POWERGRID for providing the Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, describing it as critical life-saving infrastructure for the district.
Narrating the background of the project, Verma said that when he joined Mokokchung, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Sharingain Longkumer had already expressed concern over the district’s need for improved emergency healthcare transportation and had taken up the matter with POWERGRID. He said the district administration subsequently pursued the proposal and worked to expedite the process. He also acknowledged the efforts of the previous Deputy Commissioner, who had initiated work on the project before his transfer.
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Verma thanked POWERGRID officials at the field, regional and headquarters levels, stating that the proposal required approval from the company’s CSR Board and higher authorities in Delhi. He also appreciated the Chief Medical Officer and the Medical Department for coordinating the proposal and submitting the required compliance documents, patient statistics and other information necessary for obtaining CSR approval.
Describing the ambulance as a much-needed addition to the district’s healthcare system, Verma said advanced life support ambulances play a vital role during the transportation of critically ill patients. He noted that the time taken to transport patients from Mokokchung to referral hospitals, including those in Dimapur and Assam, is often crucial, and that patients may lose their lives during transit if proper emergency equipment and monitoring systems are unavailable.
He said that healthcare infrastructure is fundamental to development and that without adequate emergency medical facilities, authorities and families often become helpless during critical situations. He added that development cannot be considered complete unless people’s lives and health are adequately protected.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed that the District Hospital now carries the responsibility of properly maintaining the ambulance and its equipment. He urged the hospital to establish a dedicated team for regular servicing, repairs and maintenance to ensure that the vehicle remains operational and serves the public for many years.
He also appealed to the public to utilise the ambulance responsibly for genuine medical emergencies requiring critical care during transportation.
Referring to the ongoing expansion of Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital and the upcoming Critical Care Unit, Verma said the district continues to require more critical healthcare infrastructure and expressed hope that CSR support for such projects would continue in the future.
He pointed out that Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital is not only a healthcare facility for Mokokchung district but also serves neighbouring districts, making it an important inter-district referral hospital.
Concluding his address, Verma said the successful implementation of the project reflected the collective efforts of all stakeholders and expressed confidence that the ambulance would greatly benefit the people if it is managed and maintained responsibly.
Chief Manager, POWERGRID, Thapana Deori Gogoi said that while POWERGRID is primarily engaged in the transmission of power, the organisation also remains committed to contributing to society through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
She said the objective of the company’s CSR activities is to support communities by strengthening infrastructure and improving facilities that benefit the public. Expressing hope that the Advanced Life Support (ALS) Ambulance would serve the people effectively, she said timely transportation is crucial during medical emergencies and that the ambulance would help patients receive critical care and reach the hospital at the earliest. She further expressed hope that the ambulance would be utilised effectively for the benefit of the public.
Addressing the gathering, Ao Senden President, Marsanen Imsong said, “The dedication of this Advanced Life Support Ambulance is a great service to humanity.” He said the ambulance “represents hope for those in critical condition” and “marks an important upgrade to the healthcare services at Dr. Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital.”
Expressing gratitude, he said, “We sincerely thank Power Grid Corporation of India Limited for providing this ambulance under its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.” Appealing to the public, he said, “This ambulance belongs to the people. Let us protect it and use it wisely.”
Dr Alemwabang Aier, Medical Superintendent, Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital, expressed gratitude to POWERGRID for donating the Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance, describing it as a lifeline that would strengthen emergency healthcare services in Mokokchung.
He said the ALS ambulance is more than just a vehicle, as it is equipped to deliver advanced medical care at the scene of an emergency and during transit, enabling timely intervention before patients reach the hospital.
Highlighting its significance, he noted that the first hour after an emergency is the “golden hour,” when prompt medical intervention can make the difference between life and death.
He said the ambulance, equipped with ventilators, defibrillators, infusion pumps and multi-parameter monitors, would help stabilise critically ill patients, particularly in trauma cases, cardiac arrests, respiratory emergencies and severe accidents.
Dr Aier added that the ambulance would improve access to advanced emergency care in rural and remote areas, bridging the gap between the scene of an emergency and the hospital.
Among those present were Thapana Deori, Chief Manager, POWERGRID; Nani Yakang, Deputy Manager, POWERGRID; officials of the State Government, district administration, IMDH, and other representatives of POWERGRID.
