Nagaland has made noticeable strides in the healthcare sector
over the years, though it has a long way to go. The state’s first medical
college, Nagaland Institute of Medical Science and Research (NIMSR), commenced
its first academic session last year, after a long wait, while the second
facility, Mon Medical College, is under construction and is expected to be
completed by November 2026. Many sub-centres, PHCs and CHCs too have been
upgraded. This commendable development in the health sector initiated by the
state government will not only impart medical education but also address the
health issues of people from the state and beyond. The Chief Minister Health
Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) is another commendable programme initiated by the
state government for the citizens. If utilised, the scheme will alleviate the
financial burden due to medical treatment. In the meantime, most health
facilities in the state, including district hospitals and those in remote
areas, have been plagued by shortages of medical experts as well as equipment.
Health centres in rural areas received a significant fillip during the COVID-19
pandemic, thanks to the medical facilities the crisis demanded, but one issue
that continues to persist is manpower. There are also possibilities of medical
equipment being underutilised due to lack of technical experts and doctors. So,
the state-wide tour or inspection of healthcare facilities by the Minister of
Health and Family Welfare, P Paiwang Konyak, is a welcome move. Such first-hand
experience of the ground reality is a must to bring about change.
The Health department should prioritise addressing the
shortage of specialist doctors and nurses in the state for the simple reason
that providing proper health services to the people is impossible without
adequate health experts. The government should take recruitment drives without
delay. However, the issue will continue till the disparity in manpower is
solved. Another problem that needs to be addressed is the uneven distribution
of healthcare facilities. For instance, urban areas like Dimapur and Kohima have
many hospitals, while it’s not the case in other districts. This is why people
in remote areas are forced to take patients to these cities for medical
treatment, wasting time and money in the process. To alleviate the hardship
faced by the rural population and ensure timely medical services, the state
government should at least make sure that hospitals in district headquarters
have all the necessary modern medical equipment as well as health workers. This
is the least the government can do. No sensible society will undermine the
healthcare sector because of the immense impact it has on the well-being of not
only individuals but also the productivity and economic development of a
nation.
