By Felix Anthony

Injan: The diocese of Miao marked the World Health Day with the inauguration of a modern dental care unit at the only Catholic hospital in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal.

“Proper health care is big concern in Arunachal Pradesh, particularly in Changlang district,” said Somlung Mossang, who represents the Borduma-Diyun constituency in the state legislative assembly.

Inaugurating the clinic in Krick and Bourry Memorial Hospital at Injan in Changalang district on April 7, he said people of Arunachal Pradesh often are compelled to travel to neighboring Assam for their basic medical treatments. “Due to the long journey undertaken many have lost their lives on the way to the hospital. It also results in huge expense of money,” he added.

The dental care wing will cater to agrarian people of nearby areas such as Miao, Jairampur, Nampong, Manmao, Bordumsa, Diyun, Nampahi, Balinong and Kharsang. They can now avail hassle-free and affordable round the clock dental treatment, saving both money and time, Mossang said.

The diocese of Miao set up the hospital in 2016 as a response to the people’s request for a better health care facility within Arunachal Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao congratulated the doctors and the Sacred Heart Sisters of Pala province in Kerala and the nurses for their dedicated healthcare service to the people. Echoing the theme of World Health Day 2021, the Salesian prelate said, the dental care unit will now help the hospital serve the people and build a ‘fairer and healthier world.’

The inauguration was attended by Rakesh Kumar Rai, the Sub Divisional Officer of Kharsang, Zilla Panchayat Member Chomjung Haidley, Dental Surgeon Shradha Ginodiya and visiting doctors Rohit Pasari and Munmoon Debnath and a few local public leaders.

The hospital already has a gynecologist and a pediatrician and a few visiting doctors from Assam. The 20-bedded hospital has medical facilities like, digital X-Ray, Ultrasound, computerised laboratory, ECG, pharmacy, Emergency Care Unit and round the clock ambulance service, and now a modern dentistry.

The hospital has a well-equipped operation theater. Due to the lack of anesthetist, the hospital is not able to perform surgery and often patients are referred to hospitals in Assam.

Oftentimes, the long distance between the hospitals causes fatal medical complications.