17th Common Review Mission team visits Zunheboto district

DIMAPUR — The 17th Common Review Mission (CRM) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) conducted a four-day visit to Zunheboto district from November 2 to the 5th as part of the nationwide monitoring and assessment mechanism under the National Health Mission (NHM).

According to an update, the CRM team from MoHFW was led by Dr. Sushil Kumar Vimal, DC (NUHM), and comprised Dr. Rashmi Kundapur, additional professor, Department of Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS Bibinagar, Hyderabad; Sharad Kumar, lead consultant (Child Health); Satyajit Sahoo, finance analyst; and Dr. Khusboo Kumari, research investigator (PRC).

The team was accompanied by state health department officials Dr. Nukshisangla Jamir, joint director of the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS), and Dr. Kheshika Yepthomi, deputy director of NHM, along with district health officials and staff.

A reception programme for the visiting CRM team was held on November 2 at the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) Office, Zunheboto, chaired by Dr. Antoly Suu, deputy CMO, Zunheboto.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Kuotsutho, medical superintendent, District Hospital Zunheboto, emphasised that the visit offered the district an opportunity to receive expert guidance and constructive feedback, which would enable the health department to redesign its approach toward achieving the best standards in healthcare delivery.

He also highlighted that over the past few years, the district has made notable progress in various key performance indicators, particularly in maternal and child health (MCH), immunisation, and community participation, attributing the achievements to the collective effort of the district health team in striving toward accessible and affordable healthcare for all.

Also read: 17th Common Review Mission team reaches Mon to begin district review

Deputy Commissioner of Zunheboto Dharam Raj, in his remarks, reaffirmed the district administration’s continued support and collaboration with the health department in all healthcare initiatives.

Dr. Vihuto T Assumi, president of Sumi Hoho, also delivered a short speech on behalf of the civil society organisation, describing the visit as a “boon to the district”. He acknowledged the gaps in healthcare infrastructure and expressed optimism that the CRM visit would help bridge these shortcomings.

He appealed to the CRM team and the health department to ensure proper implementation of government health schemes while stressing the importance of involving local bodies to disseminate information down to the grassroots level so that no section of society is left behind.

He further appealed to the concerned authorities to prioritise improving infrastructure and facilities in the district hospital so that people can avail quality healthcare services locally, without the need to travel outside the district.

He also mentioned that while the nursing school at Zunheboto has been approved, it is yet to become functional and urged that it be made operational at the earliest, which will be essential in providing employment opportunities and strengthening healthcare.

Speaking on behalf of the visiting CRM team, Dr. Vimal stated that the purpose of the CRM visit is primarily fact-finding—to act as a facilitator, providing guidance and support to identify barriers and challenges in healthcare delivery and to suggest feasible solutions.

He added that the team’s mission is to assess the district’s priorities and difficulties, highlight good practices and innovative approaches observed in the health units, and explore ways to replicate these successful models in other parts of the country.

He emphasised that the CRM aims to ensure equality, equity, and quality in healthcare services and to present a true picture of the district’s health system while working toward the effective implementation of the six packages of services under the National Health Mission.

Later, during their visit, the team assessed various health units under Aspirational Block Akuhaito, as well as those under Aghunato and Suruhuto blocks. In the district headquarters, the team visited the district hospital and CMO Office, accompanied by Anoop Khinchi, commissioner and secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare.

A debriefing meeting was held on November 6 at the CMO office, Zunheboto, marking the culmination of the 17th CRM visit.

Team leader Dr. Sushil Kumar presented the key observations and findings from the field visits and commended the dedication and motivation of the district officials and staff despite the challenges faced.

In his remarks, DC Dharam Raj appreciated the CRM team for their valuable insights and emphasised that constructive criticism should be taken positively to improve service delivery. He also directed the district to conduct regular District Health Society (DHS) review meetings and act on the CRM recommendations.

Speaking on behalf of the DoHFW, Dr. Jamir appreciated the hard work and commitment of the district health staff despite limited resources and urged the district officials to carefully examine the CRM recommendations and prepare a detailed action taken report for implementation at all levels.

In her concluding remarks, Deputy CMO Dr. Antoly Suu stated that the CRM visit has provided a vital opportunity to present district proposals and gain valuable insights from the team’s feedback.

She assured that the district will consolidate all findings, prepare a comprehensive action plan, and submit the report to the State Health Society. She also acknowledged and appreciated the cooperation of all district health staff and stakeholders for their active participation and continuous efforts toward strengthening healthcare delivery in the district.