Ao Senden locks CMO office over unresolved IMDH demands

Morung Express News Mokokchung | October 21The office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Mokokchung, was locked down on October 21 by Ao Senden as part of a Phase-1 agitation over unresolved demands concerning Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH) Mokokchung.Officials of the Ao Senden, Ao Lanur Telongjem (ALT) and the Ao Kaketshir Telongjem (AKM) were present at the site. The apex body had initiated the indefinite closure of the CMO office from October 21 until its demands are met.The action followed Ao Senden’s rejection of the reply issued by the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, to its ultimatum dated September 16, 2026.In its rejection letter dated October 17, Ao Senden specifically objected to the transfer of the Senior Specialist Radiologist from IMDH to Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK) under a departmental notification dated August 19. The organisation stated that although a Junior Specialist Radiologist had been transferred from District Hospital Phek to IMDH, the senior radiologist at IMDH had been released before the replacement joined.Ao Senden further stated that a sonologist was not part of its demand and that “nothing short of a Radiodiagnosis Specialist” would be accepted at IMDH.The organisation also rejected the department’s claim that its demands had been addressed, stating that not a single demand contained in its ultimatum had been met. It accused the department of displaying an “attitude of theatre of superiority instead of service to the needy” and described this as contrary to the purpose for which the Health and Family Welfare Department was established.The original ultimatum sought the replacement posting of a radiologist and dermatologist at IMDH, the shifting of hospital services to the newly constructed Block A, and the cancellation of doctors’ and nurses’ attachments elsewhere, with their return to the hospital.In its reply dated October 15, the department stated that a trained sonologist had been earmarked for transfer to IMDH along with a dermatologist. It also said that the psychiatrist attached to the Department of Health, Dimapur, would return to IMDH from November 1, 2026, and that detachment orders had been issued for two staff nurses attached outside the hospital.Regarding Block A, the department stated that construction and miscellaneous works had been completed and directed the Medical Superintendent to occupy the new building immediately. In the letter dated October 17, Ao Senden had announced that it would begin its own course of action from October 21. It also held the department responsible for any untoward incident during the agitation.The organisation had earlier given the department 30 days to act on its demands, warning that failure to do so would lead to further action.