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I Himato, centre, along with officials from the Jhpiego and the department of Health and Family Welfare during the workshop in Kohima on June 8.[/caption]
Dimapur, June 8 (EMN): Commissioner and secretary of health and family welfare department, I Himato Zhimomi, has called upon the health service providers in the state to rededicate themselves by adopting holistic approach on health issues. Himato stated this while addressing district and state officials of the department during one-day state level orientation workshop on the operationalisation of ‘Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) under Ayushman Bharat initiative on June 8 in the conference hall of Hotel Vivor, Kohima.
Himato also emphasised on the emerging need of introducing concept of wellness apart from health. He has suggested concentrating efforts towards improvement of mental, social and spiritual well-being of the society, which in turn would improve the economic productivity and quality of life for the Naga people.
Dr. Kevichusa, NHM mission director, also reiterated on the need for continuum of care for chronic NCD diseases besides the RMNCH+A services. He also urged all the officials present on the occasion to support the initiative for successful implementation of HWCs.
The workshop was conducted by the department of health and family welfare in collaboration with developmental partner ‘Jhpiego’ - a non profit global health leader affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University that works towards saving lives, improving health and transforming futures.
Through the workshop, state aims to roll out comprehensive primary health care (CPHC) services through up-gradation of existing health facilities into HWCs across the state.
In the first phase of implementation the state government would be upgrading 56 sub-centres to health and wellness centres (HWCs). Besides, Government of India has selected two PHCs in Kiphire among other 115 districts in the country to be activated as HWCs. The department press release stated that all the five urban PHCs would also be upgraded to HWCs in the state.
The workshop touched upon the key elements of CPHC and HWCs in ensuring continuum of care; providing an expanded service delivery; expanding diagnostics and new technologies; promoting health through community mobilisation; creating robust IT systems and partnering for knowledge.
It added that these centres would be equipped with a specialised team including a specially qualified mid–level provider and other health workers, who would be trained with additional multiple skills for efficient healthcare delivery. The mid-level providers would be trained through a six - month bridge course developed by IGNOU.
Meanwhile, senior programme officials from the state have expressed gratitude to Jhpiego for extending their technical support in operationalisation of HWCs and roll out of bridge programme in the state.
