Three crucial centres at NHAK- Blood Component Separation, Blood Centre, TB culture and Drugs Susceptibility Testing Laboratory , Trauma Care Centre were inaugurated on December 2. An inspection of the New Semi Private cabin was also conducted.
“These facilities will provide multi-speciality approach to trauma victims and fight towards decreasing the rate of mortality and disability of the victims and also spread awareness, preparedness and response to such incidents in order to lessen their impact on the victims,” said Special Guest P. Paiwang Konyak, Minister Health and Family welfare.
The Blood Centre at Naga Hospital Authority will be the first Government hospital in the state to have license for Blood component separation. “NHAK already had the license for whole blood but the much- needed license for blood components was required to operate and issue blood components, for which a lot of equipment’s were required which were provided by NHM and NHAK Authority,” mentioned Konyak.
Component separation is the machine that separate whole blood into components such as the packed red cells, platelets and the fresh frozen plasma. Therefore, component separation is expected to maximize the utility of one whole blood unit. India requires an annual average of 14.6 million blood units and consistently faces a shortfall of one million units.
Konyak highlighted that in 2022-2023, Nagaland collected twelve thousand nine hundred twenty-three (12,923) units of blood whereas the national level target was fifteen thousand (15,000) and therefore there was a deficit of two thousand and seventy-seven (2,077) units.
Whole blood transfusion is not indicated when component-specific treatment is available, such as using packed red blood cells to treat anaemia, in surgery, trauma, certain blood disorders like Haemophilia, Sickle cell disease or using fresh frozen plasma to treat coagulopathy, life –threatening haemorrhage, decompensated liver disease, acute disseminated intravascular coagulation, poisoning and components like Platelets can be transfused in conditions of platelet deficiency such as the very recent dengue surge and platelet dysfunction and bone marrow failure like acute leukaemia’s.
Transfusing whole blood when not required could lead to many complications, for instance, volume overload, lung injury etc which is why with the component therapy patients will not face these adverse effects.
Despite the advance in medical science there is still no alternative to blood, it can only come when a healthy voluntary donor donates blood.
“With the component separation, patients will no longer have to go to Dimapur to collect platelets or Fresh Frozen Plasma. This year has been very challenging for the patients who had suffered from Dengue since many patients had to go to Dimapur to collect platelets,” stated Konyak, expressing hope that with the opening of the blood separation unit in Kohima, patients and nearby area can avail these blood products at NHAK itself and the stress to look for platelets or fresh frozen plasma would greatly be eased.
The minister appreciated the TB programme in Nagaland for realizing the need to establish a Culture & Drug Susceptibility Testing Lab and making the task a reality today. With the Culture & Drug Susceptibility Lab established in the premises of NHAK, he hoped that it will serve the purpose of detecting not only the Multi Drug Resistant cases but also the Extensively Drug resistant Tuberculosis cases in Nagaland.
“Let us ensure that the Detect, Treat, Build and Prevent strategy is applied to achieve TB free Nagaland as per the clarion call given by our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modiji, to eliminate TB by 2025, let us all join our hands and put our best efforts towards the TB elimination goal.” He added.
NHAK which has the Referral Status, with a bed capacity of 350 beds, has been selected as Level II Trauma Centre, informed Konyak. He also added that NHAK will now provide definitive care for severe trauma victims. Emergency physicians, surgeons, Orthopaedicians and Anaesthetists have already been stationed. For Level I Trauma Center, it is only for Medical College Hospitals with more than 500 beds.
According to the data report issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Nagaland ranks 24th among all the States in India with respect to trauma injuries during the year 2019 to 2022.
“There is a desperate need in the State for a proper dedicated trauma care center to cater to this ever-growing spectrum of a neglected disease, and with the establishment of the Level II Trauma Care Center at NHAK, we are grateful to the Government of India for the timely support provided and we are optimistic that from here on the Trauma Team at NHAK, will be able to attend to traumatic injuries more dedicatedly and efficiently,” stated Konyak.
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He hoped that through these facilities, the Medical Department aims at making significant improvements at various levels of health facilities in providing trauma, emergency medical services in a coordinated manner.
V. Kezo, Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, expressed enthusiasm at the remarkable growth of NHAK, which has become a shining example of what hospitals should aspire to be. He also expressed gratitude for the Chief Minister’s health insurance scheme.
“The recent high-tech upgrades in the labs have been very encouraging, and it is inspiring to see the dedicated and motivated individuals working there and there is a belief that efforts should be made to create models for top-notch healthcare in the districts as well. To bring about positive change, there is a need to revamp the recruitment structure. Everyone is urged to contribute ideas for better collaboration and development of the medical center,” expressed Kezo.
He also asserted that there is also a call to be proactive and provide the very best facilities, looking forward to the introduction of super-specialty services despite the challenges not only in Nagaland but also in the entire Northeast. Recognition was also given to the COVID doctors who sacrificed their lives as frontline workers.
Managing Director,NHAK Dr.Sendineren Aonok pronounced the vote of thanks. Legislators , Former PDs and other dignitaries were also present at the inauguration.
