Naga Scholars' Association’s Insights Lecture Series webinar highlights the need for locally relevant health data, stronger research capacity and evidence-based policymaking in Northeast India.
DIMAPUR — The Naga Scholars' Association (NSA), as part of its Insights Lecture Series, on August 28 organised a webinar on “Evidence for Better Health: Public Health Data and Research in India and the North-East,” bringing together researchers and policymakers to discuss the role of data and evidence in improving healthcare outcomes.
The webinar featured Dr. Raghunath Mandi, Proposal Development Specialist, HelpAge India–Institute for Longevity and Ageing Research, New Delhi, and Jasmine Maringmei, Atlantic Fellow, Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, Meghalaya, and Policy Analyst, Government of Meghalaya, the NSA stated in an update.
Dr. Mandi provided an overview of the public health data ecosystem in India and discussed the use of major national health datasets, including the National Family Health Survey Round 6 (NFHS-6), Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), Health Management Information System (HMIS), National Sample Survey (NSS) and Census of India.
He highlighted persistent geographical and financial barriers to healthcare access, particularly among older persons, and emphasised the need for policymakers to look beyond awareness of government schemes to whether beneficiaries are actually able to access and realise the intended benefits.
Dr. Mandi also stressed the importance of identifying those “who are left behind” despite aggregate improvements reflected in national datasets such as NFHS, LASI, HMIS and NSS.
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Speaking on health data challenges in Northeast India, Jasmine Maringmei emphasised the need for disaggregated, locally relevant and context-sensitive evidence.
She noted that “better data does not necessarily mean that we need more data,” but rather data that can meaningfully inform policy and reflect local realities.
Maringmei further pointed out that the “absence of data is a policy problem” and that “absence of data is never neutral,” as policymakers may otherwise be compelled to rely on evidence from other contexts that may not adequately reflect the needs of communities in the region.
On the lack of research capacity in the Northeast, she observed, “The only problem is I think we don't have enough people in the field of research.”
Chairing the session, Dr. Khaling Ngamphundar, assistant finance secretary, NSA, encouraged researchers to critically examine what data are collected, from whom they are collected, who remains excluded and how evidence can be effectively translated into policy.
The question-and-answer session covered a range of issues, including indigenous healing practices, NFHS-6, nutrition, healthcare access and government schemes.
The webinar concluded with a call for strengthening research capacity in the region and generating evidence that is “rigorous, relevant, and responsive to the needs of our communities.”
Dr. Avei Vey, vice president, NSA and Assistant Professor at South Asian University, delivered the welcome address and proposed the vote of thanks.