The launch of the Mobile Medical Unit for Kiphire, was held at the Nagaland Health Protection Society Conference Hall, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima
Dr. E Motsuthung Patton handing over the Mobile Medical Unit
vehicle key to CMO Kiphire, Dr. R Wapang Imchen, during the launch of the
Mobile Medical Unit for Kiphire in Kohima on Wednesday.
DIMAPUR — The Swasti State Dissemination
meeting on Social Protection and Mobile Medical Unit Interventions, supported
by TATA AIG General Insurance Company, along with the launch of the Mobile
Medical Unit for Kiphire, was held at the Nagaland Health Protection Society
Conference Hall, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima, on
Wednesday.
According to a DIPR report update, Principal Director of
Health and Family Welfare (HFW), Dr. E Motsuthung Patton, who was the special
guest, said on the occasion that the Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) was initiated
with a vision to reach populations living in remote, difficult areas and those
communities cut off from main health services due to geography and climatic
conditions.
He added that the MMU represents a significant effort by the
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to reach marginalised populations and
achieve universal health coverage. Proper planning and strategy for MMU
services will be essential in meeting these challenges.
Dr. Patton said there are 11 functional MMUs in the state of
Nagaland, each provided with MMU vehicles, manpower, and doctors. At present,
there are five medical officers (MOs) operating in Kohima, Mokokchung, Dimapur,
Wokha, and Zunheboto. He added that advertisements for the posts of additional
MMU MOs, one GNM, one lab technician, and two drivers have been circulated;
however, no applicants have come forward.
He stated that each MMU is directed to conduct at least 12
camps per month, and the deployment of MMUs should be prioritised in areas or
villages where there are no functional health facilities. He urged that the
ASHAs and VHSNCs should carry out the function of community mobilisation,
ensuring that people who need services are informed of the MMU schedule.
The principal director highlighted that the Department of
Health and Family Welfare has an MoU with Swasti and TATA AIG for implementing
the MMU activities in Zunheboto district. In a similar manner, Swasti and TATA
AIG will carry out similar activities in Kiphire district by providing an MMU
vehicle and working in collaboration with the MMU Kiphire team.
He therefore requested the CMO of Kiphire to coordinate the
planning and scheduling of MMU activities in the district, stating that the CMO
is responsible for the health activities in the district. He also expressed
hope that with the launch of healthcare interventions through MMUs and social
protection initiatives, it will play a vital role in addressing health
challenges and uplifting the community.
A PowerPoint presentation on TATA AIG CSR initiatives was
given by the deputy vice president and lead of CSR and sustainability, TATA AIG
General Insurance Company Ltd. The SP and MMU intervention accomplishments were
presented by Rambabu from Swasti, The Health Catalyst.
An overview of the MMU programme in Nagaland was highlighted
by the Mission Director of NHM, HFW Nagaland, Dr. Akuo Sorhie. Field experience
sharing by the project team and beneficiaries was presented by Neikule and
Manpang, both from the Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA).
The ceremonial launch of the MMU for Kiphire district was
conducted by the principal director.
