Jakhama, August 11 (MExN): St. Joseph’s College and Development Association of Nagaland (DAN) jointly conducted a consultative workshop on ‘emerging challenges in community health’ on August 8 at St. Joseph's College conference hall, Jakhama.
The programme was organised with an objective to reflect and understand the status of healthcare in the State, to gather knowledge on addressing the issue of health care in the rural areas of Nagaland, and to develop a network at the state level to initiate, establish, support and nurture community level initiatives to build competence in health.
Keynote speaker, Vikiye, Additional Director, Directorate of Family & Health Welfare, expressed the challenges faced in the state in community health focusing on three major points, the aspects of mental health, finding ways to prevent disabilities, and enhancing people's capacities to cope with chronic conditions.
There was a panel discussion on the topic ‘Opportunities and challenges in implementing healthcare initiatives in rural Nagaland’, which was moderated by Rev. Fr. Sebastian Ouseparampil, principal of St. Joseph’s College. The panelists comprised of Dr. K.T. Lotha, SPO, RNTCP; Dr. Atoshe Sema, Additional Project Director NHP; Dr. Kevichusa, SPO, NVBDCP; Dr. Sheila, WHO; Dr. Visasieo Kire, State Immunization Officer; Kingson Shimray, UNDP; Dr. Sedevie, Director, CIHSR; Dr. Longri Kichu, UNICEF; Ville Rhetso, Family Planning Association of Nagaland; and Rev. Fr. S. Charles, Director, DAN. Representatives from NSF, Chavara Home, Holy Redeemer Health Centre, and students of St. Joseph’s College participated in the programme.
A press note stated that the points that emerged from the discussion includes the need of constant communication, sharing of information, collaboration and coordination between different stakeholders; the importance of including health education in the school curriculum; involving churches from the beginning of the program, and to harness the rich resources of social capital in our society.
