Pangnyu appeals for smooth functioning of healthcare system

Health & Family Welfare (H&FW) minister S Pangnyu Phom has stressed that healthcare system in the State should not be disrupted by politics or ism so that the services intended for general population could be delivered smoothly.

Speaking as a special guest at the culmination program of Nagaland Health Project (NHP) at Capital Cultural Hall here on Thursday, he said the project was successful largely due to active participation of the communities and health communitisation.

He mentioned that this was an indication that the role of the community was of paramount importance in the health and wellbeing programs in rural areas.

Phom disclosed that 100% of Naga population depended on public healthcare system and that NHP, funded by World Bank, had greatly assisted the sector.

He said the healthcare system used to be mostly looked after by department officials but, after communitisation, all activities were now being taken care by the community.

He urged community-based committees to properly utilise whatever funds were provided by Government of India, State government or any other funding agency.

He encouraged the communities to replicate the success of NHP even in other projects taken up by the State government.

Phom acknowledged that though the NHP funding started way back in 2015, the actual implementation began in 2017, claiming that the healthcare system underwent drastic change within a span of few years.

“I’ve witnessed the changes with my own eyes and therefore am grateful to all those who have worked hard to save the lives of Nagas. I also acknowledge the support of World Bank in helping Naga people,” he remarked.

He appealed to World Bank to continue supporting Nagaland in more projects, including the medical colleges in Kohima and Mon.

In her speech, retired principal director and former project director NHP Dr Nandira Changkija said the project was tailor-made to rural lifestyle of Naga villages.

She shared how the project faced numerous difficulties in its initial stages but, after listening to the success stories, she said it felt rewarding.

She revealed that World Bank was willing to help, but the people would have to show the results.

Addressing the gathering, World Bank senior health economist Marion Jane Cros stated that she was taking away many good lessons from Nagaland based on her few visits to the State since early part of this year.

She claimed that role of the community was the key driver behind the success of NHP and lauded the State for implementing the project through Result Based Financing, which she said was successful only in very few cases.

In her speech, World Bank consultant Imnasenla Shanbur Jamir said in order to ensure the changes and infrastructure improvements were sustained, it was important that all these changes were adopted at the State level.

She stressed that with the help of a monitoring committee and H&FW department everyone must ensure that the assets created were utilised effectively and maintained properly.

On her part, Project Executive Committee secretary and chairman Asangla Imti pointed out delivering better healthcare facilities to everyone was a collective effort and should be taken seriously, both by government employees and communities.

She urged everyone to work together and look after the sector as well as have a sense of belongingness.

NPH deputy director Dr Thomas Keppen shared the journey of NHP.

Experiences were shared by individuals representing village health committees (VHCs), health sub-centre management committees (HSCMCs), health centre management committees (HCMCs), hospital management committees (HMCs), district health societies (DHSs) and district program management units (DPMUs).

The program was compered by Kerei Miachieo and T Ainla Pongen, while invocation was pronounced by Kohima Ao Baptist Arogo pastor Rev Tiatoshi Longkumer.

Welcome address was delivered by H&FW principal director Dr K Vikato Kinimi, while closing remarks and vote of thanks was proposed by NHP additional project director Dr Lhouvizotuo Belho.

Meanwhile, appreciation for community contribution was handed over to Monsenyimti HCMC, Chozuba HSCMC and Lamhai VHC.

Best performed health committees were awarded to Tokishe VHC, Pimla Sub-centre, Dhansiripar CHC (Dimapur); Jenti VHC, Anatoger Sub-centre, Likimro PHC (Kiphire); Terogvunyu VHC, Khuzama Sub-centre, Botsa PHC (Kohima); Alayong VHC, Pongo Sub-centre, Yongyha PHC (Longleng); Chungtia VHC, Mopungchuket Sub-centre, Monsenyimti PHC (Mokokchung); Yuching VHC, Subhasungha Sub-centre, Aboi CHC (Mon); Meluri VHC, K Base Sub-centre, Meluri HCMC (Phek); Namhai VHC, Samziuram Sub-centre, Dukhi PHC (Peren); Alisopore VHC, Sungsamnyu Sub-centre, Tonopkyu CHC (Tuensang); New Chandalangshun VHC, Old Chakshyu Sub-centre, Sanis CHC (Wokha); and Lukikhi VHC, Akuhaito Sub-centre, Satakha PHC (Zunheboto). Nagaland Post