17th Common Review Mission debriefing highlights Nagaland’s health sector

Team's findings highlighted several challenges, including irrational posting of human resources

DIMAPUR — A debriefing programme of the 17th Common Review Mission (CRM), National Health Mission (NHM), was held at the conference hall of Hotel Vivor, Kohima, on November 7.

Dr. Sushil Kumar Vimal, Deputy Commissioner, National Urban Health Mission Division, MoHFW, New Delhi, presented the findings and recommendations of the CRM team after their six-day visit to the state. During their visit, they covered 12 health facilities in Zunheboto and 13 in Mon, including the district hospitals.

He expressed appreciation for the good community engagement and participation in Nagaland's health sector. He also acknowledged the proactive involvement of CBOs, faith-based organisations, NGOs, village heads, and others, who have contributed generously to infrastructure, equipment, furniture, and volunteering in health units, which is one of Nagaland's greatest strengths.

Dr. Vimal noted that Nagaland has adequate health services, but lacks infrastructure, which is a major challenge. Despite difficult terrain, poor road conditions, and limited connectivity, healthcare providers have made significant efforts to deliver services, which is commendable.

Some notable strengths and good practices observed include motivated healthcare providers, effective bio-medical waste management, universal CMHIS coverage, the Cough Against TB App, environment sustainability through solar power, and hepatitis screening for pregnant women at sub-centre levels.

The CRM team's findings highlighted several challenges, including irrational posting of human resources, a need for more training for paramedical staff, and delays in salary releases due to late fund receipts from MoHFW resulting from delayed compliance with DoE conditionality (SNA-SPARSH).

Read related: 17th Common Review Mission team reaches Mon to begin district review

17th Common Review Mission team visits Zunheboto district

The team also noted a lack of willingness among health workers to serve in interior and hard-to-reach areas.

The team recommended developing a comprehensive HR policy, exploring incentives for staff in hard-to-reach areas, reducing beneficiaries' out-of-pocket expenditure, and improving drug storage.

Delivering his concluding remarks, Anoop Khinchi, Commissioner & Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Nagaland, lauded the CRM team's sincerity during their visit to two districts.

He suggested that the state adopt the CRM's recommendations as a standard operating procedure for all districts. He emphasised the need for capacity building and training to strengthen the health system, as well as rational human resource deployment.

Khinchi also acknowledged the team's recommendation to incentivise health workers and stressed the importance of adhering to national quality assurance standards for quality healthcare.

He urged officials to make Health & Wellness centres more vibrant and to utilise the findings and recommendations to improve the state's healthcare delivery system.

Dr. Mereninla Senlem, Principal Director of DoHFW, in her vote of thanks, said that the CRM’s team valuable feedback and recommendations will serve as guidelines in further strengthening the state’s health care delivery system and proper implementation of all the programmes.

The main aim of the Common Review Mission is to carry out a rapid assessment of implementation of the NHM and its key strategies, priority areas and analyse the challenges with respect to health system strengthening.

Earlier, Dr. Keveduyi Theyo, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Nagaland, welcomed the CRM team's findings and recommendations, stating that the department will address the highlighted shortcomings and move forward.