People of a north Mizoram district blocked a highway that is seen as the state’s lifeline after the government decided to transfer out the only surgeon in the region.
Zothansanga Zadeng was the sole surgeon for some 85,000 people in northern Mizoram’s Kolasib district, which is located on the border of Assam and Manipur.
The state government angered various NGOs in the district when Zadeng was transferred a few days ago to Serchhip district in central-eastern Mizoram. The resentment was particularly pronounced since Serchhip is chief minister Lal Thanhawla’s home turf.
NGOs, including those of students, women and transporters, asked the government to either post another surgeon or let Zadeng stay in order to serve patients at the district hospital in Kolasib town, 83km north of state capital Aizawl.
“A joint action committee (JAC) of the NGOs began indefinite blockade of NH-54 to pressure the government into revoking Zadeng’s transfer order. What has angered them is the surgeon was transferred without another doctor being posted in his place,” Manghaka, an activist, told HT from Kolasib.
The 850 km NH-54 from Assam’s Silchar to Tuipang in Siaha district is considered Mizoram’s lifeline
{{/usCountry}}The 850 km NH-54 from Assam’s Silchar to Tuipang in Siaha district is considered Mizoram’s lifeline
{{/usCountry}}Kolasib deputy commissioner T Arun could not be reached, but district officials said the NGOs have held the surgeon back and were in no mood to let him go.
State’s health minister Lal Thanzara, the chief minister’s younger brother, admitted the state has a shortage of doctors. “The problem will be solved soon after the state public service commission completes the process of recruiting 26 doctors soon,” he said.
The 1,472.12 sq km Kolasib district has seven hospitals, six of which are government-run. The army’s Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School in the district has a medical facility too.