Seyochung Village Students’ Union appeals PHC status for Seyochung health centre

DIMAPUR — The Seyochung Village Students’ Union (SVSU) visited the Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) in Seyochung village in Kiphire on Saturday to assess the condition of health services in the area.

A press statement issued by the union said that during the visit, the staff informed the union that, on average, the centre handles one delivery each month, excluding cases referred from other villages. They also reported that around 30 patients visit the Outpatient Department (OPD) daily.

However, they said, due to a shortage of staff, medicines, and medical equipment, it has become difficult to manage the workload.

Stating that normally the OPD sees between 120 and 160 patients monthly, but in some seasons the number rises to over 250, the staff also shared that conducting weekly Village Health and Nutrition Days (VHND) in the catchment area is very challenging due to poor road conditions and long distances.

Also read: Seyochung Village Students’ Union addresses health, education issues

Longtili C Sangtam, president of the Seyochung Village Students’ Union, stated that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. He said that SVSU is renewing its appeal for the upgradation of Seyochung health centre to a primary health centre (PHC) for the welfare of all citizens.

He shared that the union had already addressed this issue in a letter to the department on October 1, 2024, and had submitted a representation to the principal director of the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Kohima, on November 12, 2024.

He highlighted the urgent need for a PHC in Seyochung village, which is 16 km from the Seyochung ADC headquarters and 71 km from the district headquarters in Kiphire. Seyochung village has the highest population under Seyochung ADC, even more than Seyochung town. Many nearby villages depend on this HWC for medical services.

Further, it was maintained that Thsingar village, which falls under the centre’s coverage area, is located at a very far distance—possibly the farthest catchment area under any HWC in Nagaland. He urged the government to prioritise this matter in the interest of the people.

“Despite repeated requests by the union for the posting of an additional nurse at the centre, no action has been taken so far,” the statement read, adding that the union once again appeals to the department to address the issue urgently.