Three community ambulances were handed over to Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Pochury Hoho and ENPO, taking the total provided through MP Supongmeren Jamir’s MPLADS funds to 13.
DIMAPUR — Three community ambulances were handed over to the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Pochury Hoho and Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) on Saturday, taking the total number of community ambulances provided through Lok Sabha MP Supongmeren Jamir’s MPLADS funds to 13.
The ambulances were formally flagged off by Principal Secretary and Development Commissioner, Government of Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema, as the special guest at a programme held at Neo Motors, 5th Mile Model Village, Chümoukedima.
The initiative is part of Jamir’s efforts to strengthen healthcare and emergency medical services and improve access to timely medical assistance, particularly for communities in need.
Speaking at the programme, Sema said Nagaland was fortunate to have active and efficient Members of Parliament, acknowledging the efforts of Jamir and Rajya Sabha MP S Phangnon Konyak towards the welfare of the people.
Sema recalled that Nagaland was a pioneer in local area development, with the Local Area Development Programme (LADP) introduced in 1991 during the tenure of former Chief Minister Vamuzo.
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He said the initiative later influenced the introduction of the MPLADS at the national level in 1993.
He said each MP, whether from the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, is allocated INR 5 crore annually under MPLADS, adding that Jamir had utilised the funds for various development initiatives, including community ambulances, clean and green energy, water bodies and all-weather roads.
The latest distribution marks the 13th community ambulance provided through Jamir’s MPLADS funds.
During the first year of his tenure in 2024-25, ambulances were provided to the Angami People’s Organisation in Kohima, Chakhesang Peoples’ Organisation in Phek, Lotha Hoho in Wokha, Sumi Hoho in Zunheboto, Rengma Hoho in Tseminyu and Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland in Peren.
Subsequently, ambulances were provided to Ao Senden in Mokokchung, Chakhroma Public Organisation in Chümoukedima, Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Dimapur (ENPUD) and Western Sumi Hoho.
On Nagaland’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ranking, Sema said the state’s low ranking was largely attributable to gaps in data collection, reporting and updating rather than poor performance alone.
He said the government had conducted around 23 review meetings with various departments to address the issue and expressed confidence that Nagaland could significantly improve its ranking through proper and timely uploading of data.
Sema also urged community leaders and citizens to ensure timely registration of births and deaths and proper reporting of government schemes at the grassroots level.
Acknowledging continuing deficiencies in health, education and road infrastructure, he stressed the need for sustainable alternatives to jhum cultivation. He also appealed to communities to protect forests, biodiversity and the environment, warning that climate change had become an immediate challenge.
Recalling the COVID-19 pandemic, Sema said the crisis had exposed shortages of oxygen, intensive care units, ambulances and other medical facilities.
He noted that Nagaland’s health infrastructure had improved considerably over the past five to six years, while stressing that much more remained to be done.
Representatives of the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Pochury Hoho and Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation also delivered short speeches at the programme.