Lab technicians trained on free diagnostic services in Kohima

DIMAPUR — Trainings for lab technicians on free diagnostic services from the districts under the state commenced on Thursday at the conference hall of the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima.

According to an update, the trainings are being organised in collaboration with the Regional Resource Centre–North East, Guwahati (RRC-NE).

During a short programme prior to the technical session, Dr. Raj Prabha Moktan, Director, RRC-NE, Guwahati, stated that lab services are very crucial when it comes to health, as they are important not only for clinical health service but also for preventive public health, being linked with every health service provided.

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Stressing the need to be very focused on improving lab services from now onwards, and which is why RRC-NE decided to help with capacity building, she mentioned that with the next phase of the National Health Mission (2025–2030), there will be more focus on artificial intelligence (AI) in health care and e-health, so even lab services have to improve on what they were doing.

Dr. Moktan encouraged the state to increase the lab services provided at different levels of the health structure as per the Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS). She also appreciated the state’s low infant mortality rate, which stands at 7 as per SRS 2022, and the low number of anaemia cases among pregnant women compared to the national figure.

She mentioned the functional health and wellness centres (HWC) in the state, which are 78% of the target, and out of those, 83% are providing all the required services. Dr. Moktan also commented on the community engagement in all sectors, especially in health in the state, and the significant lead in the certification of health units under the National Quality Assurance Standard (NQAS).

She added that if the work continues, 50% of the health units will be certified by 2025 and 100% by December 2026, as targeted.

Dr. Mereninla Senlem, Principal Director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, in her address, stated that the responsibility of lab technicians is critical, as providing an accurate diagnosis is crucial in health care since it correlates with providing the accurate treatment. She therefore encouraged the lab technicians present to upskill during such trainings and whenever possible.

She also mentioned that, for career upgradation, which is a continuous process, the state’s Paramedical Institute has started a B.Sc. in Lab Technician.

Welcoming the officials, trainers, and participants present, Dr. Avile Zao, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), also encouraged the lab technicians to actively engage themselves during this training, as it is a valuable opportunity to expand their knowledge.

Dr. Manyau Phom, Deputy Director, NHM, gave a brief overview of the Free Diagnostic Service Initiative (FDSI) in the state.

The participants are being trained in two batches: on July 3, lab technicians from the districts of Mon, Noklak, Peren, Phek, Tuensang, Wokha, Zunheboto, and Longleng were trained, and the rest of the districts—Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, and Kiphire—on July 4.

They are being trained on FDSI, Internal Quality Control, EQAS, and hands-on training. The resource persons for the training are Bhaswat Kumar Das, Senior Consultant, RRC-NE; Pumani Kalita, consultant, CP-CPHC (RRC-NE); personnel from Trimed, with which NHM has a MoU for maintenance of medical equipment across the state; and OEM on equipment.