Nagaland has surplus health workers in rural areas — Report

According to the Rural Health Statistics 2021-22 released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland has a surplus of dedicated health workers.

DIMAPUR — Nagaland state has a surplus of health workers including auxiliary nurses and midwives (ANM) and doctors at sub-centres (SCs) and primary health centres (PHCs) in rural areas, according to the Rural Health Statistics 2021-22, issued by Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

However, there was a shortage of specialists (surgeons, OB&GYs, physicians and paediatricians) at community health centres (CHCs) in rural areas, the report stated.

Statistics revealed that there are 434 sub-centres, 129 functioning PHCs and 23 CHCs functioning in rural areas in the state.

Regarding the health workers (ANM), data showed that in 2022, the required number of ANM at SCs was 563, but 1268 workers were sanctioned and 1319 workers were stationed.

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Also, the required number of doctors at PHCs was 129, but 139 posts were sanctioned and 130 doctors were stationed.

When it came to specialist doctors at CHCs in rural areas, there was a shortfall of 83 doctors as the required number was 92 but only nine doctors were posted.

Statistics also showed that there was a shortfall of radiographers and pharmacists in rural areas as there were only two radiographers in position out of 23 required, and 116 pharmacists in position out of 152 required.

During the same period, data showed that there was a surplus of nursing staff as the required number was 290, but 321 were sanctioned and 423 posted.

The required number of laboratory technicians at PHCs and CHCs in 2022 was 152 but only 125 technicians were posted. 

The Rural Health Statistics 2021-22 also revealed that in Nagaland state, the required number of primary health centres (PHCs) in urban areas is 30, but there are only seven functioning PHCs.

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The report stated that the estimated mid-year population for urban areas of Nagaland state as on July 1, 2022, was 9,96,000, whereby  30 PHCs were required as per the population.

There are no community health centres (CHCs) in urban areas in the state, the report stated.

According to the report, the required number of health workers (female) auxiliary nurses and midwives (ANM) at PHCs in urban areas as on March 2022 was 35, out of which six pots were sanctioned and 19 in position.