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Minister H&FW P Longon giving away the commendation award to CHC Noklak during the launching programme of NHP and other health schemes at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima on June 1.[/caption]
Kohima, June 1 (EMN): In a move to enhance the quality of health services in the State, the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Nagaland, has launched four health programmes/schemes today.
The said programmes namely National Health Project (NHP), Malaria Elimination or National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) and Jan Aushadhi (Generic Drugs), were formally launched at Capital Convention Centre by P Longon, minister of Health and Family Welfare.
Speaking at the launching programme, Longon, lauded the commitment of the Government of India for extending its support to improve the delivery of health services in Nagaland, particularly in rural areas.
On NHP, which got underway a year and-a-half ago in some of the sites under Noklak sub-division in Tuensang district and Jalukie in Peren district, Longon appreciated the effort and support extended by the World Bank and the Department of Economic Affairs, Government of India.
“This project (NHP) will greatly support the department to improve health services and increase their utilisation by the communities in targeted locations in the State,” he said.
As for the moment, the National Health Project is only for 5-6 years, and the extension of the project will depend on the experience of its implementation, it was learned. Expressing his optimism that the project will turn out to be a success, minister Longon requested the World Bank and the GoI to keep their options open as the extension may be considered in the later years.
“In the absence of a strong private sector for healthcare delivery in rural areas in Nagaland, strengthening the government health services as well as the communities for management and accountability are of paramount importance,” Longon said adding that he was delighted as NHP also aims towards building the capacity of both the public health institutions and community through village health committees.
Welcoming the launch of Malaria Elimination (NVBDCP), Longon also lauded the directorate of NVBDCP, GoI, for coming out with the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) in India 2016-2030.
“This framework has intermediate milestone to monitor the progress all through this ambitious journey,” he said and further challenged all concerned stakeholders, including the government departments, to strive wholeheartedly to put an end to malaria cases in the country and the State.
“Malaria remains a public health problem in India. However, there has been a significant reduction of malaria cases in India from 2 million cases in 2000 to 1.1 million cases in 2015,” he said maintaining that efforts need to be intensified for prevention, control and elimination of this disease.
With the launching of the Jan Aushadhi (Generic Drugs) which aims to install retail shop for all district hospitals, Longon expressed hope that affordable essential drugs would be made available to all the citizens of the State through this programme. “Healthcare without availability of drugs has remained as a challenge for our State,” he added.
The minister also announced the implementation of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. The RSBY was earlier implemented by the Department of Labour in all the district hospitals and seven private hospitals including Bethel Medical Centre, Kohima; Oking Hospital, Kohima; Faith Hospital & Institute of Medical Science, Dimapur; House of Hope, Longpang in Tuensang; CIHSR, Dimapur; Mhonchamo Memorial Nursing Home, Wokha; and Woodland Nursing Home, Mokokchung.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mohini Kak, health specialist at World Bank, called for concerted efforts from all concerned stakeholders to push Nagaland in achieving its target in the health sector.
“This is an important programme of the State government, so we need to give a close attention with the right leadership. In the next five years, we will see Nagaland on the top if we can achieve what is there in the projects launched today,” Dr. Mohini said.
Speaking on behalf of World Bank, she said “We are with you and will stand with you to monitor the activities to make you achieve the targeted projects,” she added.
Brief presentation on NHP and Malaria Elimination were delivered by Dr Vizolie Suokhrie, Project Director NHP, and Dr. Kevichüsa Medikhrü, SPO NVBDCP, respectively.
The closing remark was tendered by Menukhol John, Principal Secretary, Government of Nagaland.
During the programme, the Kayakalp award 2016-2017 was also handed out to the best performing district hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres in the State.
Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH), Mokokchung, has topped the list in the category of district hospitals for the Kayakalp Award 2016-2017 in the State, while Phek District Hospital bagged the second position.
In winning the award, IMDH received Rs 30 lakhs along with certificate, while Phek District Hospital was given Rs 20 lakhs and certificate. The awards were handed out by Minister for Health & Family Welfare, P Longon at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima, today.
Kayakalp is a clean hospital initiative under Swachh Bharat where awards are given to the public health units in the State based on assessment indicators given by the Government of India such as hospital/ facility upkeep, sanitation and hygiene, waste management, infection control, support services and hygiene promotion.
It is an initiative which started in 2015-2016 where the prizes were awarded only to district hospitals, however, this year’s award has been given in the category of District Hospital, Community Health Centre and Primary Health Centre.
Under the list of district hospitals, a commendation certificate along with Rs 3 lakhs was given to Mon District Hospital.
In the category of Community Health Centres, Medziphema CHC under Dimapur district, topped the list and received Rs 10 lakhs, followed by CHC Viswema under Kohima with Rs 5 lakhs. Under CHC, a commendation certificate along with Rs 1 lakh was also handed out CHC Noklak under Tuensang district.
For the category of Primary Health Centres, the best seven PHCs according to descending order are – PHC Niuland in Dimapur, Urban PHC Seikhazou in Kohima, PHC Longkhum in Mokokchung, PHC Ahthibung in Peren, PHC Chizami in Phek, PHC Longpang in Tuensang and PHC Woshuro in Wokha. All the seven PHCs received Rs 2 lakhs each.
