Nagaland: Abu Metha appointed Ambassador of Palliative Care

November 24, 2023 35 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | November 24

St Joseph Palliative Care Centre in Chümoukedima district, the only centre in the state exclusively dedicated to patient care of the elderly, the poor and the homeless, will now have Abu Metha, Advisor to Chief Minister of Nagaland & Chairman, Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) as its Ambassador on the request of Rev Dr James Thoppil, Bishop of Kohima, Nagaland & Chairman of the Centre.

In the letter addressed to Metha, the Bishop of Kohima stated that, “it is very kind on your part to express your solidarity with the sick and the suffering” referring to the Advisor’s recent visit to the centre. Stating that it a multidisciplinary medical specialty that aims to improve the quality of life for people who have serious or life-threatening illnesses, the letter further expressed that, “it takes into account the person’s emotional, physical and spiritual needs and goals—as well as the needs of his or her family.”

It may be recalled that the institution was officially inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio on April 24, 2022. The letter further highlighted that the infrastructure was built with the help of the Italian Bishops’ Conference and local resources. The Palliative Care services aims at five pronged strategies including comprehensive inpatient care unit, home care, skilling the family members to care for the terminally ill member of the family, skill building for primary care givers and awareness creation initiatives.
To achieve these goals, it highlighted that, “we require human and financial resources. Individuals who can influence public opinion and motivate them to commit themselves to support this mission will be blessing to the Naga society.” “Thank you very much for the initiative you have taken to promote this effort to bring quality of life to the suffering”, it added.

On being appointed as the Ambassador of the Palliative Care during a meeting at the Bishop’s House in Kohima on Thursday afternoon, Abu Metha said, “it is a privilege and honour, and also a blessing to work for this section.” At the same time, he remarked that it is a very big challenge while expressing that, “I am very grateful to the Catholic community under the leadership of the Bishop for giving me this responsibility.”

He also appealed to all sections of the society to work collectively and underscored that “one person’s effort alone cannot achieve what we aspire for.” He further called upon all sections of Naga people to work together under environment of generosity and charity to help the most needy.

Metha also noted that the Palliative Care Centre is doing well despite the constraints, challenges, lack of resources, and infrastructure deficit. “It is fully charitable and out of good will”, he highlighted while citing that besides elderly patients and those patients who cannot afford treatment, there are many patients where medically, not much can be done but have to be taken care of.

Extending his appreciation for the Catholics, he said that the “Naga society has to appreciate more how much the Catholic community is doing.” He went on to say that some of the most successful sons and daughters of Nagaland are products of Catholic institutions and that the builders of this state are groomed and educated in Catholic institutions.

Apart from church institutions in the field of education and charity and good will, he said, “they are the leaders; they have shown the way and the Naga society has to understand and appreciate this more.” Once we appreciate it more, he expressed, “I feel that the engagement of Catholic community with different sections of Naga society, be it government or non-government, can only benefit the society.” Personally, he added, “I am indebted and grateful to the Catholics for shaping my life.”