Kohima (Nagaland) [India], November 21 (HBTV): Nagaland's Health and Family Welfare Minister P Paiwang Konyak inspected Longleng District Hospital on Thursday.
The minister reached Longleng District Hospital in the morning and held a meeting with the district administration, civil society representatives, district hospital authority, and department officials at the PPCA Mission Centre.
Following an inspection of the ongoing construction of Longleng District Hospital, the minister emphasized that district hospitals should have larger land areas to allow for future expansion. He urged the Phom civil societies to acquire bigger land for the Longleng hospital, assuring them of his commitment to its development.
He also urged the expediting of construction, stressing that the ongoing project should not lack any resources at any cost.
Addressing the shortage of specialist doctors, a core issue in most district hospitals in Nagaland, the minister informed that the department is working on a two-cadre system (specialized and non-specialized doctors). He stated that a recruitment drive would take place once the government approves the modalities, and assured that the issue would be addressed soon.
Konyak further explained that due to the random creation and upgradation of Sub Centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Community Health Centres (CHCs) over the years without proper surveys, there is a shortage of doctors and nurses. This situation led him to ban the creation and upgradation of these centres. He said that upgradation would be done based on need, and any redundant centres would be downgraded after proper survey.
The minister also stated that the inspection tour was part of the department’s effort for on-site verification, and he would cover the entire district in phases. He also informed that, along with the tour, inspections of food safety and pharmacies would be conducted, as had been done in the districts of Dimapur and Mokokchung.
Konyak expressed concern about the flow of foreign food products without proper expiry dates and suggested that controlling this could create more opportunities for local entrepreneurs. Regarding formalin-laced fish, he stated that if fish from other states were found to contain high levels of formalin, the state government could impose a ban and promote local fish, providing another opportunity for local youth. He emphasized that the exercise was aimed at raising public awareness and would continue in the future.
The minister acknowledged the presence and concern of the Phom Peoples' Council, Phom Women's Organization, and Phom Students' Conference and also lauded Dr Hantok Phom for his years of service to Nagas patients in Delhi.
Meanwhile, the minister commended the Longleng District Hospital and its doctors for delivering excellent service to citizens through the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS), which, according to him, is far better than services in other districts. He encouraged the hospital to continue making healthcare accessible to all citizens. (ANI)